WorldStatesmen.org HOME>
 return to Belgium >> to Belgium Provinces >>>


Belgian Regions and Communities

Region and Community: Flanders and Flemish Community - Communities: French Community - German-speaking Community - Regions: Brussels-Capital - Wallonia -

Note: The federalisation of Belgium formally started with the 1970 constitutional reform and it continues. On 8 Aug 1980, the Flemish and Walloon regions and the Flemish and French communities were granted autonomy. On 22 Dec 1981, separate governments were constituted for the Flemish and Walloon regions and for the French community, the government of the Flemish community being entrusted to the government of the Flemish region. The German-speaking community, located within the Wallonia region, was granted autonomy on 31 Dec 1983, and the Brussels region (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest/Région de Bruxelles-Capitale) shared by the Flemish and French communities, on 12 Jan 1989. In 1993, Belgium's unique federal system, consisting of a central state, three economic Regions (Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels-Capital Region) and three cultural Communities (French-speaking, Dutch/Flemish-speaking and German-speaking), was enshrined in the Constitution (signed 17 Feb 1994). Brussels-Capital is the only of the three regions to have a governor (from  1 Jul 2014, Hauts fonctionnaires/Hoge ambtenaren [High Officials]) since 1 Jan 1995, representing the king and the federal government. The first direct elections for the parliaments of the communities and the regions took place on 21 May 1995.

Party abbreviations: AND = Anders ("Different", liberal, center-right, Flemish, pro-Europeanism, former O-VLD, est.19 Jan 2026); CD&V = Christen-Democratisch & Vlaams (Christian-Democratic and Flemish, social conservative, center-right, Flemish, former CVP, est.29 Sep 2001); LE = Les Engagés (The Committed Ones, centrist, Francophone, former CDH, est.17 Mar 2022); MR = Mouvement Réformateur (Reformist Movement, liberal, center-right, Francophone, union of PFF, FDF [to 2011], PRL, and MCC, est.24 Mar 2002); N-VA = Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (New Flemish Alliance, Flemish nationalist, center-right, soft Eurosceptic, est.13 Oct 2001); PFF = Perspektiven. Freiheit. Fortschritt (Perspectives. Freedom. Progress.; social liberal, centrist, German, 1961-2023 named Partei für Freiheit und Fortschritt [Party for Freedom and Progress], formerly part of PVV-PLP, est.1961); ProDG = Pro Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft (Pro- German-speaking Community, christian democratic, center-right, German, est.2001); PS = Parti Socialiste (Belgian Socialist Party, social-democratic, Francophone, former BSP-PSB, est.Oct 1978); VOR = Vooruit ("Forward", socialist movement, center-left, Flemish, former SP.A, est.21 Mar 2021);
- Former parties: CDH = Centre Démocrate Humaniste (Humanist Democratic Center, Francophone, centrist, Francophone, former PSC, 2002-17 Mar 2022, renamed LE); CVP = Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party, christian-democratic, Flemish, 1972-19 Sep 2001, renamed CD&V); O-VLD = Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten (Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats, 'Open VLD', liberal, center-right, Flemish, former VLD, Feb 2007-19 Jan 2026, renamed AND); PRL = Parti Réformateur Libéral (Liberal Reform Party, centrist, Francophone, Wallonia and Brussels, from 2002 part of MR, 1979 - May 2003); PSC = Parti Social-chrétien (Social Christian Party, center-right, in Wallonia and Brussels, Francophone, 1972-2002, renamed CDH); SLP = Sociaal-Liberale Partij (Social Liberal Party, social-liberal, progressive, Flemish, formerly VP, 2009-Dec 2009, merged into Groen [Green]); Spirit = Sociaal, Progressief, Internationaal, Regionalistisch, Integraal-democratisch, Toekomstgericht (Social, Progressive, International, Regionalist, Integral-Democratic, Turned to the Future; social-liberal, Flemish, left-wing faction of VU, 2001-19 Apr 2008, renamed VP); SP = Socialistische Partij (Flemish Socialist Party, social-democratic, Flemish, 1980-2001, renamed to SP.A); SP.A = Socialistische Partij.Anders (Socialist Party Another Way, social-democratic, Flemish, formerly SP, 2001-231 Mar 2021, renamed VOR); VLD = Vlaamse Liberale Democraten (Flemish Liberals and Democrats, conservative liberal, Flemish, former PVV, 1992-Feb 2007, renamed O-VLD); VP = Vlaamse Progressieven (Flemish Progressives, social-liberal, Flemish, formerly Spirit, 19 Apr 2008-2009, renamed SLP)


Brussels-Capital
 
[Region of Brussels-Capital old flag (Belgium) 1991-2015]
16 May 1991 - 1 Mar 2015
 [Region of Brussels-Capital (Belgium) flag]
Adopted 1 Mar 2015
Capital: Brussels Population: 1,249,597 (2024) Local Holiday:
8 May (1945)
Iris Day
 Local Anthem
(None)

Governors
 1 Jan 1995 - 30 Apr 1998  André R.L. Degroeve                (b. 1931 - d. 2014)  PS
 1 May 1998 - 13 Nov 1998  Charles M.J.V. Picqué              (b. 1947)            PS
22 Dec 1998 - 31 Dec 2008  Véronique Paulus de Châtelet (f)   (b. 1948)            PS
 1 Jan 2009 - 30 Sep 2010  Hugo Nys (acting)                  (b. 1946)            VLD
 1 Oct 2010 - 30 Jun 2014  Jean Clément (acting)              (b. 1950)            Non-party
Hauts fonctionnaires/Hoge ambtenaren (High Officials)
 1 Jul 2014 - 31 May 2016  Jean Clément                       (s.a.)               Non-party
 1 Jun 2016 - 30 Jun 2021  Viviane Scholliers Ndaya (f)       (b. 1968)            CDH
                             (senior civil servant)
 1 Jul 2021 - 25 Jul 2021  Yves Bastaerts (acting)            (b. 1968)            CD&V
                             (deputy director general of Brussels prevention and security)    
25 Jul 2021 -              Sophie Lavaux (f) (acting)         (b. 1975)            Non-party
                             (director general of Brussels prevention and security)   

Minister-presidents
12 Jul 1989 - 15 Jul 1999  Charles M.J.V. Picqué (1st time)   (s.a.)               PS
15 Jul 1999 - 18 Oct 2000  Jacques Simonet (1st time)         (b. 1963 - d. 2007)  PRL
18 Oct 2000 -  6 Jun 2003  François Xavier Gustave Marie      (b. 1941)            PRL
                             Joseph Corneille Hubert de Donnéa
                             de Hamoir
 6 Jun 2003 - 18 Feb 2004  Daniel Ducarme                     (b. 1954 - d. 2010)  PRL;2003 MR
18 Feb 2004 - 19 Jul 2004  Jacques Simonet (2nd time)         (s.a.)               MR
19 Jul 2004 -  7 May 2013  Charles M.J.V. Picqué (2nd time)   (s.a.)               PS
 7 May 2013 - 14 Feb 2026  Rudi Vervoort                      (b. 1958)            PS
14 Feb 2026 -              Boris Dilliès                      (b. 1972)            MR


Flanders and the Flemish Community  
 
[Flag of Flanders and Flemish Community (Belgium) 1973-1985]
6 Jul 1973 - 11 Jul 1985
 [Flag of Flanders and Flemish Community (Belgium)]
Adopted 11 Jul 1985
Capital: Brussels Population: 6,821,770
(2024, Flanders) 		Local Holiday:
11 Jul (1302)
Flemish Community Day
 Hear Flemish Anthem
"De Vlaamse Leeuw"
(The Flemish Lion)
Adopted 6 Jul 1973
(written 1847)
International Organizations: DLU, UNESCO (partner), UNWTO (associate)

22 Dec 1917 - 25 Jul 1918  The Council of Flanders proclaims independence 
                             (see under Belgium).

Minister-presidents
22 Dec 1981 - 21 Jan 1992  Gaston Constant Stefaan Antoon     (b. 1931 - d. 2002)  CVP
                             Geens
 21 Jan 1992 - 13 Jul 1999  Luc Van den Brande                 (b. 1945)            CVP
13 Jul 1999 -  5 Jun 2003  Patrick Ivonne Hugo Dewael         (b. 1955)            VLD
 5 Jun 2003 - 11 Jun 2003  Renaat G. Julien Landuyt (acting)  (b. 1959)            SP.A
11 Jun 2003 - 20 Jul 2004  Bartolomeus "Bart" Jozef Lodewijk  (b. 1964)            VLD 
                             Rosalia Somers
20 Jul 2004 - 28 Jun 2007  Yves Camille Désiré Leterme        (b. 1960)            CD&V
28 Jun 2007 - 25 Jul 2014  Kristiaan "Kris" Peeters           (b. 1962)            CD&V
25 Jul 2014 -  1 Jul 2019  Geert Albert Bourgeois             (b. 1951)            N-VA
 2 Jul 2019 -  2 Oct 2019  Liesbeth Homans (f)                (b. 1973)            N-VA
 2 Oct 2019 - 30 Sep 2024  Johan "Jan" Jambon                 (b. 1960)            N-VA
30 Sep 2024 -              Matthias Diependaele               (b. 1979)            N-VA


French Community

[French Community (Belgium) flag]
Adopted 3 Jul 1991

Capital: Brussels Population: 3,612,804 (2024, Wallonia minus the German Community area) Local Holiday:
27 Sep (1830)
French Community Day
 Local Anthem
(None)
International Organizations: OIF

25 May 2011                Parliament of the French Community adopts on a resolution on an
                             alternative common-usage designation for the community name as
                             Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Wallonia-Brussels Federation).
 
Minister-presidents
22 Dec 1981 -  9 Dec 1985  Philippe Moureaux (1st time)       (b. 1939 - d. 2018)  PS
 9 Dec 1985 -  2 Feb 1988  Philippe Monfils                   (b. 1939)            PRL
 2 Feb 1988 -  9 May 1988  Philippe Moureaux (2nd time)       (s.a.)               PS
17 May 1988 -  7 Jan 1992  Valmy A.E.M.Gh. Féaux              (b. 1933)            PS
 7 Jan 1992 -  4 May 1993  Bernard G. Anselme                 (b. 1945)            PS
 4 May 1993 - 13 Jul 1999  Laurette Onkelinx (f)              (b. 1958)            PS
13 Jul 1999 - 19 Jul 2004  Hervé Hasquin                      (b. 1942)            PRL;2003 MR
 19 Jul 2004 - 20 Mar 2008  Marie Arena (f)                    (b. 1966)            PS
20 Mar 2008 - 17 Sep 2019  Rudy Willy Georges Demotte         (b. 1963)            PS
17 Sep 2019 - 15 Jul 2024  Pierre-Yves A. Jeholet             (b. 1968)            MR
15 Jul 2024 -              Elisabeth Degryse (f)              (b. 1980)            LE

German-speaking Community
 
[German-speaking Community (Belgium) flag]
Adopted 1 Oct 1990
Capital: Eupen Population: 79,479 (2024) Local Holiday:
15 Nov (1990)
German Community Day
 Local Anthem
(None)

Chairmen of the Executive
30 Jan 1984 - 11 Nov 1986  Bruno Fagnoul                      (b. 1936 - d. 2023)  PFF
11 Nov 1986 - 10 Sep 1993  Joseph Maraite                     (b. 1949 - d. 2021)  PSC
Minister-presidents
10 Sep 1993 -  6 Jul 1999  Joseph Maraite                     (s.a.)               PSC
 6 Jul 1999 - 30 Jun 2014  Karl-Heinz Lambertz                (b. 1952)            PS
30 Jun 2014 -              Oliver Paasch                      (b. 1971)            ProDG

Wallonia
 
[Flag of Wallonia (Belgium)]Adopted 20 Jul 1975
Capital: Namur Population: 3,692,283 (2024) Local Holiday:
3rd Sunday in Sep (1830)
Day of Wallonia
 		Hear Walloon Anthem
"Li Tchant des Wallons"/
"Le Chant des Wallons"
(The Song of the Walloons) (from 1901)
Adopted 15 Jul 1998

Chairmen of the Executive
23 Dec 1981 - 26 Jan 1982  Executive Council [no chair agreed]
                           - Jean-Maurice Dehousse            (b. 1936 - d. 2023)  PS
                           - André Raphaël Jean-Marie Maurice (b. 1937 - d. 2007)  PRL
                               Antoine Damseaux
                           - Philippe Busquin                 (b. 1941)            PS
                           - Melchior Wathelet                (b. 1949)            PSC
                           - Valmy A.E.M.Gh. Féaux            (b. 1933)            PS
                           - André E.J. Bertouille            (b. 1932)            PRL
26 Jan 1982 - 25 Oct 1982  André Raphaël Jean-Marie Maurice   (s.a.)               PRL
                              Antoine Damseaux
25 Oct 1982 - 11 Dec 1985  Jean-Maurice Dehousse              (s.a.)               PS
11 Dec 1985 -  3 Feb 1988  Melchior Wathelet                  (s.a.)               PSC
 3 Feb 1988 -  9 May 1988  Guy Coëme                          (b. 1946)            PS
11 May 1988 -  7 Jan 1992  Bernard G. Anselme                 (b. 1945)            PS
 7 Jan 1992 - 30 Oct 1993  Guy Spitaels                       (b. 1931 - d. 2012)  PS
Minister-presidents
30 Oct 1993 - 25 Jan 1994  Guy Spitaels                       (s.a.)               PS
25 Jan 1994 - 15 Jul 1999  Robert Collignon                   (b. 1943)            PS
15 Jul 1999 -  4 Apr 2000  Elio Di Rupo (1st time)            (b. 1951)            PS
 4 Apr 2000 - 30 Sep 2005  Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe       (b. 1944)            PS
30 Sep 2005 -  6 Oct 2005  André Antoine (acting)             (b. 1960)            CDH
 6 Oct 2005 - 20 Jul 2007  Elio Di Rupo (2nd time)            (s.a.)               PS
20 Jul 2007 - 22 Jul 2014  Rudy Willy Georges Demotte         (b. 1963)            PS
22 Jul 2014 - 28 Jul 2017  Paul Magnette                      (b. 1971)            PS
28 Jul 2017 - 13 Sep 2019  Willy Borsus                       (b. 1962)            MR
13 Sep 2019 - 15 Jul 2024  Elio Di Rupo (3rd time)            (s.a.)               PS
15 Jul 2024 -              Adrien Dolimont                    (b. 1988)            MR





© Ben Cahoon