Prime Minister of Belgium facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium
State ensign
Coat of arms
Incumbent Bart De Wever since 3 February 2025
Executive branch of the Belgian Federal Government
Style	Mr Prime Minister (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Member of	Belgian Federal Cabinet European Council
Residence	Le Lambermont, Brussels
Seat	16, Rue de la Loi, Brussels
Appointer	Monarch of Belgium
Term length	No term limit
Formation	26 February 1831; 194 years ago (1831-02-26) (de facto) 1918; 107 years ago (1918) (de jure)
First holder	Étienne de Gerlache
Salary	€236,900 annually
Website	premier.be

The Prime Minister of Belgium is the leader of the federal government of Belgium. This person is often seen as the most powerful figure in Belgian politics. The title can also be called the Premier of Belgium.

The first person to lead the government in Belgium was Henri Van der Noot in 1790. This was during a short-lived republic called the United Belgian States.

Even though leaders of the government were chosen since Belgium became independent, the King of the Belgians usually led the Council of Ministers until 1918. The modern role of "Prime Minister" truly began after World War I with Léon Delacroix. Over time, the King's political power lessened. The Prime Minister's role became much more important.

Currently, Bart De Wever is the Prime Minister. He was appointed on February 3, 2025. He is the first Flemish Nationalist to hold this position. He took over from Alexander De Croo.

History of the Prime Minister Role
What the Prime Minister Does
How a Prime Minister is Chosen
The Prime Minister's Office
See also

History of the Prime Minister Role

Early Leaders in Belgium

In 1790, the Sovereign Congress of the States of Belgium met in Brussels. It had representatives from eight provinces. Henri Van der Noot was the President of this Congress. He was also called the Minister Plenipotentiary.

After Belgium gained independence in 1830, governments were named after the minister who formed them. This person was called the formateur. But this role did not have a special official status.

How the Role Grew

From 1831, the King of the Belgians usually led the Council of Ministers. If the King was not there, the chef de cabinet (head of Cabinet) took over. This was usually the oldest or most important minister.

This position slowly became more important. The chef de cabinet soon gained the power to suggest how ministerial jobs should be given out.

The Modern Prime Minister

After World War I, more political parties won seats in parliament. This made it hard for one party to have a clear majority. Because of this, coalition governments became necessary. A coalition government is when different parties work together.

Forming these governments became harder. So, the formateur (the person trying to form the government) gained more respect. This person became a clear leader. Since ministers now came from many parties, someone was needed to coordinate them. This is how the Prime Minister became the actual head of government.

During the first half of the 20th century, the head of Cabinet often replaced the King. This made the role more important. The Prime Minister became the country's main political figure. They were the de facto (in practice) chief executive. Even with this new importance, the head of Cabinet still led a ministerial department.

The official title of "Prime Minister" or "Premier" was first used in 1918. At this time, the position got its own office. The title was finally added to the Belgian Constitution in 1970. This happened during the first state reform.

What the Prime Minister Does

Leading the Government

The Prime Minister has many important jobs. They coordinate government policies. They also make sure the coalition agreement is followed. This agreement is a plan made by the different parties working together.

The Prime Minister leads meetings of the Council of Ministers. They also help solve disagreements between ministers. They represent the government to the public, both in Belgium and in other countries.

Working with Parliament and the King

The Prime Minister talks with the King. They also present the government's plans to the Parliament. The Prime Minister can ask Parliament for a vote of confidence. This vote shows if Parliament supports the government. If the vote fails, the government might have to resign.

If the Prime Minister resigns for personal reasons, only they leave. But if the government loses a vote of confidence, the whole government resigns. The Prime Minister also represents Belgium in international groups, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Other Important Tasks

Because of changes to the Belgian state, the Prime Minister has more duties. They help manage relations between Belgium's different regions and communities. They also lead a committee of government representatives from all parts of the country.

It is expected, but not required, for the Prime Minister to speak both French and Dutch fluently.

How a Prime Minister is Chosen

Starting the Process

After federal elections, the current Prime Minister offers their government's resignation to the King. The King then asks them to stay on as a caretaker government. This means they keep working until a new government is formed.

The King then talks to many important politicians. This helps him understand how a new government could be formed. He usually talks to the heads of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate. He also talks to leaders of major political parties.

Finding a Formateur

After these talks, the King chooses an informateur. This person gathers information from different political parties. They learn what each party wants for a new government. The informateur then reports back to the King.

Based on this information, the King chooses a formateur. This person is responsible for actually forming the new government. Usually, the formateur of the federal government becomes the new Prime Minister.

Official Appointment

It often takes several months of talks before the formateur is ready. Then, the King formally asks them to form a government. The Constitution says that the King's actions need a minister's signature to be valid. So, the outgoing Prime Minister signs the document appointing the new Prime Minister. The new Prime Minister then signs the document for the outgoing Prime Minister's resignation.

After this, the King appoints the other ministers and secretaries of state for the federal government. The Prime Minister signs the documents for their appointments.

The Prime Minister's Office

The official office of the Prime Minister is at 16 Rue de la Loi in Brussels. This street is also called Wetstraat in Dutch. It means "Law Street." Many important Belgian government and European Union buildings are on this street.

The office building houses the Belgian Federal Cabinet, the Chancellery, and the Council of Ministers. It is like the central hub of Belgian politics. The building was first built as a "Refuge House" for an abbey. It was designed by Louis Joseph Montoyer.

Later, it was meant to be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1830, Prince Eugène of Ligne bought it. Since 1944, it has been owned by the state. It was then set up as a meeting place for the Prime Minister and their cabinet.

The office of the Belgian prime minister
The entrance
The doorbell