Belgium King Albert II Christmas speech sparks controversy

[sabaku_no_gaara]

The Belgian king has provoked a sharp response to a Christmas message in which he drew parallels with the rise of fascism in the 1930s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20852536

The king was out of line, he's suposed to remain politically neutral and is not allowed to comment on political affairs, he stepped over his constitutional mandate, and he really shouldn't bring up the 1930's and what happened next as king Leopold III was forced to step down for collaborating with the Nazi's

In the mean time he's getting another 300K added to his dotation making him earn 2.5 milion for doing nothing but crawling out of a privileged pussy as a baby.

[NRohirrim]

Maybe Belgium will be divided in the separate countries. So there could be Flandres and Wallonia. And current king would remain only in city-state Brussells between those 2

[Sphere]

It is odd that someone with such poor judgment earned such a prominent position.

[OCWife]

What is it with Europe and their obsession with monarchs? And how is the King supposed to stay politically neutral? The point of his position is to run the country. The king was not out of line. It is his birthright. If you don't like it, then get rid of the position.

[sabaku_no_gaara]

What is it with Europe and their obsession with monarchs? And how is the King supposed to stay politically neutral? The point of his position is to run the country. The king was not out of line. It is his birthright. If you don't like it, then get rid of the position.

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy like most monarchies in Europe, The king is to respect the constitution and the gouverment and is not allowed to pick any sides politically nor voice his political opinions, not in public annyway, it's an oath he hast to take when he takes the throne, The king is a representative and his only role is to put his signature under laws to make them legal (only once did a king refuse to sign a new bill, the abortion bill legalizing abortion king baudewijn refused to sign it because of religious grounds, and thus he was dethroned for a day the bill was passed and the king was king again), other then that he is suposed to be the symbol that unites the nation, and be a bit of a mascotte abroad

And he gets to appoint the guy who mediates between the political parties after an election and forms the gouverment, he also swears in the gouverment, and when ministers resign they give their resignation to the king.

It's all symbolic

[NRohirrim]

only once did a king refuse to sign a new bill, the abortion bill legalizing abortion king baudewijn refused to sign it because of religious grounds, and thus he was dethroned for a day the bill was passed and the king was king again

[OCWife]

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy like most monarchies in Europe, The king is to respect the constitution and the gouverment and is not allowed to pick any sides politically nor voice his political opinions, not in public annyway, it's an oath he hast to take when he takes the throne, The king is a representative and his only role is to put his signature under laws to make them legal (only once did a king refuse to sign a new bill, the abortion bill legalizing abortion king baudewijn refused to sign it because of religious grounds, and thus he was dethroned for a day the bill was passed and the king was king again), other then that he is suposed to be the symbol that unites the nation, and be a bit of a mascotte abroad

And he gets to appoint the guy who mediates between the political parties after an election and forms the gouverment, he also swears in the gouverment, and when ministers resign they give their resignation to the king.

It's all symbolic

So...if the king is practically useless, then why have him? A symbol that costs 2.5 mil? I say get rid of him. Esp. in tough economy, it's time to trim the fat.

[sabaku_no_gaara]

So...if the king is practically useless, then why have him? A symbol that costs 2.5 mil? I say get rid of him. Esp. in tough economy, it's time to trim the fat.

The only serious party that wants to get rid of the king is the N-Va, the party the king lashed out at and that every other party lashes out at. So good luck getting rid of him

[karo]

The only serious party that wants to get rid of the king is the N-Va, the party the king lashed out at and that every other party lashes out at. So good luck getting rid of him

Can you provide some source that the NVA wants to get rid of the monarchy? Because as a Belgian this is the first time I am hearing this!

[MathiasOfAthens]

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy like most monarchies in Europe, The king is to respect the constitution and the gouverment and is not allowed to pick any sides politically nor voice his political opinions, not in public annyway, it's an oath he hast to take when he takes the throne, The king is a representative and his only role is to put his signature under laws to make them legal (only once did a king refuse to sign a new bill, the abortion bill legalizing abortion king baudewijn refused to sign it because of religious grounds, and thus he was dethroned for a day the bill was passed and the king was king again), other then that he is suposed to be the symbol that unites the nation, and be a bit of a mascotte abroad

And he gets to appoint the guy who mediates between the political parties after an election and forms the gouverment, he also swears in the gouverment, and when ministers resign they give their resignation to the king.

It's all symbolic

Lmao that is hilarious. He was dethroned and brought back like an angry child.

[The Dude]

What is it with Europe and their obsession with monarchs?

Really? You have to ask? Ever read a history book?

[Sphere]

other then that he is supposed to be the symbol that unites the nation,

Anyone else notice that the three Western European nations with the strongest separatist movements (UK, Spain, Belgium) are constitutional monarchies?

Perhaps a coincidence, but it at least suggests the impotence of Royal symbolism when it comes to uniting a modern democracy.

(You could throw Canada into the mix as well given that Queen Elizabeth II is the official head of state.)

[The Despondent Mind]

Just bring down the goddamn King , not just Belgians , the whole Europe . I just don't see any ing contribution they give to their countries .

[NRohirrim]

Just bring the goddamn King , not just Belgians , the whole Europe . I just don't see any ing contribution they give to their countries .

Most european countries haven't any king or prince. For example people who would be glad about restoring a crown in my country are something like 1% of society

[Heinz Guderian]

Why did God make him King of Belgian if he's so rubbish?

[sabaku_no_gaara]

Why did God make him King of Belgian if he's so rubbish?

The English made his house king of Belgium.

His forefather, Leopold I von Sachsen-coburg Gotha insignificant German nobillity, and the role of king of the Belgians was kind of forced on him, he didn't want to become king of the Belgians.

The Belgians had just revolted against and seperated from the Dutch, and formed a gouverment, but they needed a king if they wanted international recognition. The English decided Leopold was to become king

[Heinz Guderian]

The English made his house king of Belgium.

His forefather, Leopold I von Sachsen-coburg Gotha insignificant German nobillity, and the role of king of the Belgians was kind of forced on him, he didn't want to become king of the Belgians.

The Belgians had just revolted against and seperated from the Dutch, and formed a gouverment, but they needed a king if they wanted international recognition. The English decided Leopold was to become king

admit it, we were pretty ****ing awesome werent we?

[Comrade_Rory]

So...if the king is practically useless, then why have him? A symbol that costs 2.5 mil? I say get rid of him. Esp. in tough economy, it's time to trim the fat.

Just bring down the goddamn King , not just Belgians , the whole Europe . I just don't see any ing contribution they give to their countries .

Of course, I don't know how similar the situation is for the Belgians but considering the majority of Americans (the biggest group of tourists interested in anything Royal) probably aren't aware that Belgium or any European country other than the UK have a monarchy, I think you can at least take away the extra tourism profits.

[LaMuerte]

The English made his house king of Belgium.

Could you please elaborate more on this point. I often read and heard that the English 'made him king' with their magic wand somehow . Didn't he got elected by the Belgian National Congress ? I mean , it's a bit strange that the English get all the credit for something the Belgians spilt their blood for... And what was their reaction to the Netherlands invading Belgium immeditately afterwards?

We seem to forget that 'Belgium's de facto independence had been established through nine years of intermittent fighting'

[sabaku_no_gaara]

Could you please elaborate more on this point. I often read and heard that the English 'made him king' with their magic wand somehow . Didn't he got elected by the Belgian National Congress ? I mean , it's a bit strange that the English get all the credit for something the Belgians spilt their blood for... And what was their reaction to the Netherlands invading Belgium immeditately afterwards?

We seem to forget that 'Belgium's de facto independence had been established through nine years of intermittent fighting'

National congress concidered many canidates, but Leopold was the one the English felt comfortable about