Note on elements of belgium model
Answers
After the four amendments in the constitution the Belgium leaders worked (out a very different and innovative power sharing arrangement known as Belgium model.
The main features of Belgium model are:
(i) **Equal distribution of seats—**According to the new arrangement, Dutch and French speaking ministers have been given equal status in the central government. No single majority can make decision unilaterally.
(ii) **Concept of Federal Government—**Besides, state governments for the two regions have been given maximum powers and the state governments are not treated as the subordinate to the central government.
(iii) **Equal Representation in Brussels—**In the new arrangement, Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, equal representation given to both the French and Dutch speaking people.
(iv) Community Government. The Belgium model introduced a new concept of third kind of government, i.e., the ‘Community Government’. This government is elected by the people belonging to one language community.
(v) This arrangement ensures the promotion and protection of cultural and linguistic diversity.
features of belgium model:
- the constitutions states that both the french and dutch speaking will have equal representation in the central government. for special laws to be passed it should have majority of members from both the communities.a single community cannot make decisions unilaterally.
- some of the powers of the central government is given to the state government . but the state government is not subordinate to central governmwent.
- brussels have separate government.the french accepted equal representation in brussels because dutch acceptd equal representation in the central government
- belgium has a third kind of government known as community government which is elected by the members of the linguistic groups. this government has power regarding cultural educational and language related issues