Suppose King Albert had no children (or all of them would have died, without leaving any children) and had no further family (Paola, cousins, …). What happens then? Will Belgium still be a monarchy?
I understand that it is a bit far-fetched, but is there a solution for this?
Thank you !
Answer
Dear Sandra,
The Constitution provides a solution in this particular case: Art. 95
“In case the throne is vacant, the Chambers, deliberating together, provisionally provide for the regency until the wholly renewed Chambers meet; this meeting shall take place within two months at the latest. The new Chambers, deliberating together, permanently provide for the occupation of the throne. “
When there is no succession, and the incumbent monarch dies, for example, the throne is ‘unoccupied’. In that case, the House and Senate will meet and they will take on the tasks as ‘interim’. Elections will then follow, after which Parliament will designate a new monarch.
Answered by
Werner Vandenbruwaene
constitutional law, administrative law, European institutional law
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
.