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Belgium (view source)

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The '''Kingdom of Belgium''' is a country in northwest [[Europe]], considered along with the [[Netherlands]] to be one of the Low Countries, and a founding member of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO), whose headquarters is in the capital of [[Brussels]].

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[[Euthanasia]] is common in Belgium, even for people with mental disorders, where it is legal in contrast with the [[United States]] and other countries. Belgium aggressively interfered with early treatment for [[coronavirus]] in 2020,<ref>https://covexit.com/ivermectin-to-save-belgium/</ref> ~~resulting~~ in by far the highest mortality in the world from the disease.<ref>https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries</ref>

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[[Euthanasia]] is common in Belgium, even for people with mental disorders, where it is legal in contrast with the [[United States]] and other countries. Belgium aggressively interfered with early treatment for [[coronavirus]] in 2020,<ref>https://covexit.com/ivermectin-to-save-belgium/</ref> which resulted in by far the highest mortality in the world from the disease.<ref>https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries</ref>

==Geography==

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Belgium is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, [[Germany]], [[Luxembourg]], [[France]], and the [[North Sea]]. Although generally flat, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast (Ardennes) region. ~~Climate~~ is cool, temperate, and rainy; summer temperatures average 77 °F, winters average 45 °F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are 10 °F and 100 °F.

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Belgium is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, [[Germany]], [[Luxembourg]], [[France]], and the [[North Sea]]. Although generally flat, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast (Ardennes) region. The climate is cool, temperate, and rainy; summer temperatures average 77 °F, winters average 45 °F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are 10 °F and 100 °F.

Geographically and culturally, Belgium is at a crossroads of Europe, and during the past 2,000 years has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of different races and cultures. Consequently, Belgium is one of Europe's true melting pots with [[Celtic]], [[Roman]], [[Germanic]], [[French]], [[Dutch]], [[Spanish]], and [[Austrian]] cultures having made an imprint.

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The country has since 1977 been divided into three semi-autonomous regions: [[Flanders]] (the Dutch speaking area), [[Wallonia]] (the French speaking area, with a small German-speaking minority) and the Brussels capital region, a bilingual 'island' within Flanders.

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The country has since 1977 been divided into three semi-autonomous regions: [[Flanders]] (the Dutch-speaking area), [[Wallonia]] (the French-speaking area, with a small German-speaking minority) and the Brussels capital region, a bilingual 'island' within Flanders.

==People==

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*Density: 861 per sq. mi. Linguistic regions--(Dutch-speaking) Flanders 58%; (French-speaking) Wallonia 31.7%; (legally bilingual) Brussels Capital Region 9.6%; German-speaking 0.7%.

*Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic (70%), with Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Anglican, Greek and Russian Orthodox, as well as secularism, "recognized" religions receiving government subsidies.

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*Ethnic groups: ~~Flemmings~~ 58%, Walloons 33%, Africans and Asians 4%, Other Europeans 5%.

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*Ethnic groups: Flemings 58%, Walloons 33%, Africans and Asians 4%, Other Europeans 5%.

*Languages: Dutch, French, German.

*Education: Literacy—98%.

[[Same sex marriage]] has been recognized by the Belgian government since 2003.<ref>[http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm About.com]</ref>

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On February 13, the ~~Belgium~~ Parliament passed a law allowing children to be euthanized. The bill was first introduced in December 2012.

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On February 13, the Belgian Parliament passed a law allowing children to be euthanized. The bill was first introduced in December 2012.

Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, called the move a “form of abandonment.”

“Belgium has abandoned the elderly, and now they are saying they will abandon their children”. [https://www.lifesitenews.com/mobile/news/breaking-belgium-parliament-passes-law-allowing-children-to-be-euthanized]

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The allocation of powers between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers is somewhat similar to the United States—the Parliament enacts legislation and appropriates funds—but the Belgian Parliament does not have the same degree of independent power that the U.S. Congress has. Members of political parties represented in the government are expected to support all bills presented by the Cabinet. The House of Representatives is the "political" body that votes on motions of confidence and budgets. The Senate deals with long-term issues and votes on an equal footing with the Chamber on a limited range of matters, including constitutional reform bills and international treaties.

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The largest parties in the current Chamber are the Flemish Liberal Party (VLD), 25 seats; the Francophone Socialists (PS), 25 seats, the Francophone Liberals (MR), 25 seats; the Flemish Socialists and Spirit alliance (SP.A/Spirit), 23 seats, the Flemish Christian Democratic party (CD&V), 21 seats; the right-wing Vlaams Belang party (VB), 18 seats; and the Francophone Christian Democrats (CDH) 7 seats. The Francophone Greens (ECOLO), have 4 seats, while the New Flemish Alliance (NV.A) and Francophone Front National each have 1 seat. The Flemish Greens (AGALEV—now Groen!) did not win any Chamber seats in the 2003 election, but have one "co-opted" Senator (see below) as a result of an agreement with the Flemish Socialist Party. National elections have taken place on June 10, 2007, the major winner being CD&V. A lengthy period of time went into forming a new government, marked by a period of informal talks (led by Herman Van Rompuy) and formal talks (led by Yves Leterme), both being appointed to do so by the King.

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The largest parties in the current Chamber are the Flemish Liberal Party (VLD), 25 seats; the Francophone Socialists (PS), 25 seats, the Francophone Liberals (MR), 25 seats; the Flemish Socialists and Spirit alliance (SP.A/Spirit), 23 seats, the Flemish Christian Democratic party (CD&V), 21 seats; the right-wing Vlaams Belang party (VB), 18 seats; and the Francophone Christian Democrats (CDH), 7 seats. The Francophone Greens (ECOLO) have 4 seats, while the New Flemish Alliance (NV.A) and Francophone Front National each have 1 seat. The Flemish Greens (AGALEV—now Groen!) did not win any Chamber seats in the 2003 election, but have one "co-opted" Senator (see below) as a result of an agreement with the Flemish Socialist Party. National elections have taken place on June 10, 2007, the major winner being CD&V. A lengthy period of time went into forming a new government, marked by a period of informal talks (led by Herman Van Rompuy) and formal talks (led by Yves Leterme), both being appointed to do so by the King.

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Yves Leterme succeeded in forming a government and getting the support of ~~parliamend~~ needed to govern. In December 2008 however, the government fell over a scandal involving the separation of powers, with Yves Leterme and Jo Vandeurzen (then minister of Justice) being accused of trying to influence the course of justice. The King appointed ex-prime minister Wilfried Martens to informal talks, which eventually led to Herman Van Rompuy being named new Prime Minister. Much of Yves Leterme's government was held in place, with only a few spots replaced. As of January 2009, this government led by Herman Van Rompuy was expected to carry its full term until the next election in 2011.

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Yves Leterme succeeded in forming a government and getting the support of parliament needed to govern. In December 2008, however, the government fell over a scandal involving the separation of powers, with Yves Leterme and Jo Vandeurzen (then minister of Justice) being accused of trying to influence the course of justice. The King appointed ex-prime minister Wilfried Martens to informal talks, which eventually led to Herman Van Rompuy being named the new Prime Minister. Much of Yves Leterme's government was held in place, with only a few spots replaced. As of January 2009, this government, led by Herman Van Rompuy, was expected to carry its full term until the next election in 2011.

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However, when Herman Van Rompuy was chosen to be the first President of the European Council, he had to abandon his job as Prime Minister, in order to avoid conflicts of ~~interests~~. As such, Yves Leterme was named Prime Minister again. No other major changes were made to the Belgian government.

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However, when Herman Van Rompuy was chosen to be the first President of the European Council, he had to abandon his job as Prime Minister in order to avoid conflicts of interest. As such, Yves Leterme was named Prime Minister again. No other major changes were made to the Belgian government.

The Prime Minister and his ministers administer the government and the various public services. Ministers must defend their policies and performance in person before the House.

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===Foreign Relations===

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The Concert of Nations sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1830 on the condition that the country remains strictly neutral. During the two World Wars Belgium tried but was unable to follow a policy of neutrality due to the German invasions. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO.

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The Concert of Nations sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1830 on the condition that the country remains strictly neutral. During the two World Wars, Belgium tried but was unable to follow a policy of neutrality due to the German invasions. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO.

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Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Having federalized their own country, many Belgians view themselves as the ultimate "European federalists."

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Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Having federalized their own country, many Belgians view themselves as the ultimate "European federalists."

Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO's military headquarters) is in the south of the country, near Mons.

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The Senate consists of 71 seats. For electoral purposes, Senators are divided into three categories: 40 directly elected; 21 elected by the community parliaments; and 10 "co-opted" Senators. For the election of the 25 Flemish and 15 Francophone directly elected Senators, the country is divided into three electoral districts: Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels Capital Region. Of the 21 Senators representing the communities, 10 are elected by the Flemish Parliament, 10 by the French Community Parliament, and 1 by the German-language Parliament.

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The remaining category, the 10 "co-opted" senators, are elected by the first two groups of senators. The princes and princesses of the royal line are also members of the Senate—currently Prince ~~Phillippe~~, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid.

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The remaining category, the 10 "co-opted" senators, are elected by the first two groups of senators. The princes and princesses of the royal line are also members of the Senate—currently Prince Philippe, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid.

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Several months before an election, the parties form a list of candidates for each district. Parties are allowed to place as many candidates on their "list" as there are seats available. The formation of the list is an internal process that varies with each party. The number of seats each party receives and where on a list a candidate is placed, or how many individual votes a candidate receives, determines whether a candidate is elected. Since no single party holds an absolute majority in Parliament, after each election the strongest party or "party family" will create a coalition with other parties to form the government. Voting is compulsory in Belgium; more than 90% of eligible voters participate. Voters have five options when voting: 1) vote for a party list as a whole (thus agreeing with the party's ranking of candidates), 2) vote for one or more candidates regardless of list ranking, 3) vote for one or more "alternates" (substitute candidates), 4) vote for one or more candidates AND one or more alternates, or 5) ~~vote~~ invalid or blank so that no party or candidate is chosen.

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Several months before an election, the parties form a list of candidates for each district. Parties are allowed to place as many candidates on their "list" as there are seats available. The formation of the list is an internal process that varies with each party. The number of seats each party receives and where on a list a candidate is placed, or how many individual votes a candidate receives, determines whether a candidate is elected. Since no single party holds an absolute majority in Parliament, after each election the strongest party or "party family" will create a coalition with other parties to form the government. Voting is compulsory in Belgium; more than 90% of eligible voters participate. Voters have five options when voting: 1) vote for a party list as a whole (thus agreeing with the party's ranking of candidates), 2) vote for one or more candidates regardless of list ranking, 3) vote for one or more "alternates" (substitute candidates), 4) vote for one or more candidates AND one or more alternates, or 5) cast an invalid or blank vote so that no party or candidate is chosen.

Belgium has 25 seats in the European Parliament.

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The provincial governments are primarily administrative units and are politically weak. A governor appointed by the King presides over each province. Each governor is supported by an elected Provincial Council of 47 to 84 members (depending on the size of the province), which sits only four weeks a year.

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Municipal governments, on the other hand, are vigorous political entities with significant powers and a history of independence dating from medieval times. Many national politicians originate from municipal political bases; and many often double as mayor or alderman in their hometowns in addition to their federal and regional political positions.

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Municipal governments, on the other hand, are vigorous political entities with significant powers and a history of independence dating from medieval times. Many national politicians originate from municipal political bases, and many often double as mayor or alderman in their hometowns in addition to their federal and regional political positions.

===Political Parties===

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====The Liberal Parties====

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In modern times, the Liberal Parties in Belgium have chiefly appealed to business people, property owners, shopkeepers, and the self-employed. The parties maintain a more conservative free market oriented economic ideology on economic issues and a non-interventionist ideology in social issues, as reflected in their strong support for gay marriage, homosexual adoption, and euthanasia, similar to the Libertarian Party of the United States.

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In modern times, the Liberal Parties in Belgium have chiefly appealed to business people, property owners, shopkeepers, and the self-employed. The parties maintain a more conservative free-market-oriented economic ideology on economic issues and a non-interventionist ideology in social issues, as reflected in their strong support for gay marriage, homosexual adoption, and euthanasia, similar to the Libertarian Party of the United States.

The two current Liberal parties were formed in 1971, after the original all-Belgium Liberal Party split along linguistic lines: '''Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten''' ('''VLD''' or '''Open VLD''', English: '''Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats''') and '''Mouvement Réformateur''' ('''MR''', English: '''Reformist Movement'''), which is more of a federation than a party and includes the German-linguistic '''Partei für Freiheit und Fortschritt''' ('''PFF''', English: '''Party for Freedom and Progress''').

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====The Flemish Nationalist Parties====

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Growing tension between the Flemish and Francophone communities within Belgium has led to the growth of two political parties which can be classified as separatist, nationalist, and right-wing, seeking ~~for~~ the Flemish community ~~to peacefully separate~~ from Belgium. The two parties are '''[[Vlaams Belang]]''' ('''VB''', English: '''Flemish Importance''') and '''Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie''' ('''N-VA'''; English: '''New Flemish Alliance'''). In 2019 N-VA and VB had the most and third-most seats, respectively, in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, but despite this were not included in the final coalition government which was comprised of the Liberal, Socialist, and Green parties along with CD&V (the Flemish Christian Democrat party). There is ~~not a~~ similar nationalist party among the Francophone community.

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Growing tension between the Flemish and Francophone communities within Belgium has led to the growth of two political parties which can be classified as separatist, nationalist, and right-wing, seeking the peaceful separation of the Flemish community from Belgium. The two parties are '''[[Vlaams Belang]]''' ('''VB''', English: '''Flemish Importance''') and '''Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie''' ('''N-VA'''; English: '''New Flemish Alliance'''). In 2019 N-VA and VB had the most and third-most seats, respectively, in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, but despite this were not included in the final coalition government which was comprised of the Liberal, Socialist, and Green parties along with CD&V (the Flemish Christian Democrat party). There is no similar nationalist party among the Francophone community.

==Labor Unions==

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Belgium's three principal trade union organizations are the Confederation of Catholic Labor Unions (CSC/ACV), the Belgian Socialist Confederation of Labor (FGTB/ABVV), and the Confederation of Liberal Labor Unions (CGSLB/ACLVB). Until the 1950s, the FGTB/ABVV was the largest confederation; since then, however, the CSC/ACV has become the leading trade union force.

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The Confederation of Catholic Labor Unions (CSC/ACV)~~. Organized~~ in 1912, the CSC/ACV rejected the Marxist concept of "[[class struggle]]" and seeks to achieve a just social order based on Christian principles. The CSC/ACV is not formally linked to its party political counterparts, the Christian Democratic parties (CD&V and CDH) but exercises influence in their councils. The CSC/ACV is the leading union in all Flemish provinces and in Wallonia's Luxembourg province. It has almost equal strength with the socialist confederation in the Brussels area.

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The Confederation of Catholic Labor Unions (CSC/ACV), organized in 1912, the CSC/ACV rejected the Marxist concept of "[[class struggle]]" and seeks to achieve a just social order based on Christian principles. The CSC/ACV is not formally linked to its party-political counterparts, the Christian Democratic parties (CD&V and CDH) but exercises influence in their councils. The CSC/ACV is the leading union in all Flemish provinces and in Wallonia's Luxembourg province. It has almost equal strength with the socialist confederation in the Brussels area.

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The Belgian Socialist Confederation of Labor (FGTB/ABVV). The FGTB/ABVV derives from the Socialist Trade Union Movement, established in the late 19th century in Walloon industrial areas, Brussels, and urban areas of Flanders. Today, the FGTB/ABVV is the leading union in the Hainaut, Namur, and Liège provinces and matches the CSC/ACV in Brussels.

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The Belgian Socialist Confederation of Labor (FGTB/ABVV): The FGTB/ABVV derives from the Socialist Trade Union Movement, established in the late 19th century in Walloon industrial areas, Brussels, and urban areas of Flanders. Today, the FGTB/ABVV is the leading union in the Hainaut, Namur, and Liège provinces and matches the CSC/ACV in Brussels.

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The Confederation of Liberal Labor Unions (CGSLB/ACLVB). With 240,000 members, this is the smallest of the major union groups. Drawing primarily from management positions, the Brussels-based ~~CGLB~~/~~ACVB~~ is Belgium's most pro-business union. The union is not formally affiliated with any political party.

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The Confederation of Liberal Labor Unions (CGSLB/ACLVB): With 240,000 members, this is the smallest of the major union groups. Drawing primarily from management positions, the Brussels-based CGSLB/ACLVB is Belgium's most pro-business union. The union is not formally affiliated with any political party.

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On June 1, 2022 Belgium, the home of [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]] with many ~~high-~~paid foreign [[bureaucrat]]s working under [[diplomatic]] [[passport]], legalized [[prostitution]]. Previously, only the sex worker would be [[prosecute]]d if arrested for violating Belgian law with a foreigner under diplomatic immunity. On May 3, 2024 the Belgian parliament approved the labor law granting [[collective bargaining]] rights for sex workers. There were 93 votes in favor, 33 abstentions and zero votes against. Under the new law, sex workers are able to work for an employer under a contract, thus gaining access to [[social security]]: pension, [[unemployment]], [[health insurance]], family benefits, annual vacation, and maternity leave.<ref>https://www.utsopi.be/our-work/decriminalisation/cadre-du-travail</ref> In June 2024, employers sought a new government regulation allowing government mediation if a sex worker refused services for a client 10 times in a 6 month period.

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On June 1, 2022, Belgium, the home of [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]] with many highly paid foreign [[bureaucrat]]s working under [[diplomatic]] [[passport]], legalized [[prostitution]]. Previously, only the sex worker would be [[prosecute]]d if arrested for violating Belgian law with a foreigner under diplomatic immunity. On May 3, 2024, the Belgian parliament approved the labor law granting [[collective bargaining]] rights for sex workers. There were 93 votes in favor, 33 abstentions and zero votes against. Under the new law, sex workers are able to work for an employer under a contract, thus gaining access to [[social security]]: pension, [[unemployment]], [[health insurance]], family benefits, annual vacation, and maternity leave.<ref>https://www.utsopi.be/our-work/decriminalisation/cadre-du-travail</ref> In June 2024, employers sought a new government regulation allowing government mediation if a sex worker refused services for a client 10 times in a six-month period.

==Current Issues==

[[File:Photo 2026-05-09 06-58-55.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the [[Soviet]] soldiers who fell in the defeat of [[Nazism]] on the 81st anniversary of [[Victory Day]] in Belgium.]]

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Belgium is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union. Budgetary issues remain a key concern of the Verhofstadt government, particularly given the slow economic growth Belgium and most of Europe have experienced of late.

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Belgium is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union. Budgetary issues remain a key concern of the Verhofstadt government, particularly given the slow economic growth that Belgium and most of Europe have experienced of late.

Belgium's reaction to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was strong and supportive. For example, Belgium played a key role in helping to obtain EU-wide agreement on a European arrest warrant and in facilitating extradition of terrorist suspects. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Belgium contributed a navy frigate in the Mediterranean, AWAC crews for surveillance flights over the United States, as well as aircraft for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Belgium has contributed ground troops to ISAF since 2002 and provides humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to both Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2006, Belgium sent about 400 peacekeepers to Lebanon in support of the UN mission there.

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Densely populated Belgium is located at the heart of one of the world's most highly industrialized regions. The first country to undergo an industrial revolution on the continent of Europe in the early 1800s, Belgium developed an excellent transportation infrastructure of ports, canals, railways, and highways to integrate its industry with that of its neighbors. One of the founding members of the European Community (EC), Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the present-day European Union to integrate European economies further.

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With exports equivalent to over two-thirds of GNP, Belgium depends heavily on world trade. Belgium's trade advantages are derived from its central geographic location and a highly skilled, multilingual, and productive ~~work force~~.

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With exports equivalent to over two-thirds of GNP, Belgium depends heavily on world trade. Belgium's trade advantages are derived from its central geographic location and a highly skilled, multilingual, and productive workforce.

The Belgian industrial sector can be compared to a complex processing machine: It imports raw materials and semi-finished goods that are further processed and re-exported. Except for its coal, which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has virtually no natural resources. Nonetheless, most traditional industrial sectors are represented in the economy, including steel, textiles, refining, chemicals, food processing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, and machinery fabrication. Despite the heavy industrial component, services account for 74.6% of GDP. Agriculture accounts for only 1.4% of the GDP.

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Foreign investment contributed significantly to Belgian economic growth in the 1960s. In particular, U.S. firms played a leading role in the expansion of light industrial and petrochemical industries in the 1960s and 1970s. The Belgian Government encourages new foreign investment as a means to promote employment. With regional devolution, Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia now have substantial autonomy in courting potential foreign investors, as each deems appropriate.

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Foreign direct investment totaled more than $36.7 billion in 2005. U.S. and other foreign companies in Belgium account for approximately 11% of the total ~~work force~~, with the U.S. share at about 6%. U.S. companies are heavily represented in the chemical sector, automotive assembly, and petroleum refining. A number of U.S. service industries followed in the wake of these investments—banks, law firms, public relations, accounting, and executive search firms. The resident American community in Belgium now exceeds 20,000. Attracted by the EU 1992 single-market program, many U.S. law firms and lawyers have settled in Brussels since 1989.

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Foreign direct investment totaled more than $36.7 billion in 2005. U.S. and other foreign companies in Belgium account for approximately 11% of the total workforce, with the U.S. share at about 6%. U.S. companies are heavily represented in the chemical sector, automotive assembly, and petroleum refining. A number of U.S. service industries followed in the wake of these investments—banks, law firms, public relations, accounting, and executive search firms. The resident American community in Belgium now exceeds 20,000. Attracted by the EU 1992 single-market program, many U.S. law firms and lawyers have settled in Brussels since 1989.

===Monetary===

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About 75% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, Belgium seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EC countries. Belgium ranks as the 11th-largest market for the export of U.S. goods and services. If goods in transit to other European countries are excluded, Belgium ranks as the 12th-largest market for U.S. goods.

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Bilaterally, there are few points of friction with the U.S. in the trade and economic area. The Belgian authorities are, as a rule, anti-protectionist and try to maintain a hospitable and open trade and investment climate. As a result, the U.S. Government focuses its market-opening efforts on the EU Commission and larger member states. Moreover, the Commission negotiates on trade issues for all member states, which, in turn lessens bilateral trade disputes with Belgium.

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Bilaterally, there are few points of friction with the U.S. in the trade and economic area. The Belgian authorities are, as a rule, anti-protectionist and try to maintain a hospitable and open trade and investment climate. As a result, the U.S. Government focuses its market-opening efforts on the EU Commission and larger member states. Moreover, the Commission negotiates on trade issues for all member states, which, in turn, lessens bilateral trade disputes with Belgium.

===Employment===

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===Budget===

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Although Belgium is a wealthy country, public expenditures far exceeded income for many years, and taxes were not diligently pursued. The Belgian Government reacted with poor macroeconomic policies to the 1973 and 1979 oil price hikes by hiring the redundant ~~work force~~ into the public sector and subsidizing industries like coal, steel, textiles, glass, and shipbuilding, which had lost their international competitive edge. As a result, cumulative government debt reached 121% of GDP by the end of the 1980s. However, thanks to Belgium's high personal savings rate, the Belgian Government financed the deficit from mainly domestic savings, minimizing the deleterious effects on the overall economy.

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Although Belgium is a wealthy country, public expenditures far exceeded income for many years, and taxes were not diligently pursued. The Belgian Government reacted with poor macroeconomic policies to the 1973 and 1979 oil price hikes by hiring the redundant workforce into the public sector and subsidizing industries like coal, steel, textiles, glass, and shipbuilding, which had lost their international competitive edge. As a result, cumulative government debt reached 121% of GDP by the end of the 1980s. However, thanks to Belgium's high personal savings rate, the Belgian Government financed the deficit from mainly domestic savings, minimizing the deleterious effects on the overall economy.

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The federal government ran a 7.1% budget deficit in 1992 at the time of the EU's Treaty of Maastricht, which established conditions for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) that led to adoption of the common Euro currency on January 1, 2002. Among other criteria spelled out under the Maastricht ~~treaty~~, the Belgian ~~Government~~ had to attain a budget deficit of no greater than 3% of GDP by the end of 1997; Belgium achieved this, with a total budget deficit in 2001 (just prior to implementation of the Euro currency) that amounted to 0.2% of GDP. The government has balanced the budget every year since. Belgium's accumulated public debt remains high, but the liberal-socialist coalition government has paid it down to 94% of 2005 GDP.

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The federal government ran a 7.1% budget deficit in 1992 at the time of the EU's Treaty of Maastricht, which established conditions for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) that led to adoption of the common Euro currency on January 1, 2002. Among other criteria spelled out under the Maastricht Treaty, the Belgian government had to attain a budget deficit of no greater than 3% of GDP by the end of 1997; Belgium achieved this, with a total budget deficit in 2001 (just prior to implementation of the Euro currency) that amounted to 0.2% of GDP. The government has balanced the budget every year since. Belgium's accumulated public debt remains high, but the liberal-socialist coalition government has paid it down to 94% of 2005 GDP.

==History==

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~~see~~ [[History of Belgium]]

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See [[History of Belgium]]

== References ==

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