Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/765

 CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT 409

elected Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg King of the Belgians en. June 4, 1831 ; the prince accepted the dignity July 12, and ascended the throne July 21, 1831. By the Treaty of London, Nov. 15, 1831, the neutrality of Belgium was guaranteed by Austria, Russia, Great Britain, and Prussia. It was not until after the signing of the Treaty of London, April 19, 1839, which established peace between King Leopold I. and the sovereign of the Netherlands, that all the States of l^^urope recognised the Kingdom of Belgium.

Constitution and Government.

According to the Constitution of 1831 Belgium is 'a consti- tutional, representative, and hereditary monarchy.' The legisla- tive power is vested in the King, the Senate, and the Chamber of Representatives. The royal succession is in the direct male line in the order of primogeniture. By marriage without the King's consent, however, the right of succession is forfeited, but may be restored by the King with the consent of the two Chambers. The King's person is declared sacred ; and his ministers are held responsible for the acts of the Government. No act of the King can have effect unless countersigned by one of his ministers, who thus becomes responsible for it. The King convokes, prorogues, and dissolves the Chambers. In default of male heirs, the King may nominate his successor with the consent of the Chambers. If the successor be under eighteen years of age, which is declared to be the age of majority, the two Chambers meet together for the purpose of nominating a reo^ent dimng the minoritv.

According to the law amending the constitution, promulgated 7th September, 1893, the Senate consists of members elected for eight years, partly directly, and partly indirectly. The number of Senators elected directly is proportioned to the population of each province, and is equal to half the number of members of the Chamber of Representatives. The constituent body is similar to that which elects deputies to the Chamber, except that the minimum age of electors is fixed at thirty years. In 1895-96 the number of electors was 1,186,000, disposing of 1,924,000 votes. Senators elected indirectly are chosen by the provincial councils, two for each province with less than 500,000 inhabitants ; three for each with a population up to 1,000,000; and four for each with over 1,000,0U0. No one, during two yea,rs preceding the election, must have been a member of the council appointing him. All