Belgium in crisis: How King Filip serves as trusted, neutral interlocutor

Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) tendered his resignation to King Filip on Monday after his government failed to reach a budget agreement. The King is taking until Friday to consider the resignation. In the meantime, he is speaking with the leaders of all government parties.

“In terms of substance, the King cannot influence the budget negotiations, but he can play his neutral role, listen and, at the same time, raise a ‘sense of urgency’,” says Tony Valcke, political scientist at Ghent University.

“The King will emphasise what everyone already knows: that a budget agreement must be reached one way or another. In doing so, he can hold up a mirror to the parties. Everyone considers it important to serve their own supporters, but the King will also stress that we must look to the public interest,” says Valcke.

"In practical terms, King Filip meets with the various party leaders, listens to their views and asks about their vision and the key issues. This gives him an overview of the political situation, which he can then relay to Prime Minister De Wever on Friday. The King has a bird’s-eye view, whilst the political actors may be stuck in their ways. He can offer advice, but the decision lies with the government,” says Mark Van den Wijngaert, professor emeritus of contemporary history and author of the book “Belgium and its Kings: Monarchy and Power”.

Johan Vande Lanotte, a lawyer and privy councillor, also emphasises the importance of these confidential consultations. In the past Vande Lanotte has carried out several mediation assignments for the King.

“Although I can’t say anything about that,” laughs Vande Lanotte. “Only that I was there. What you say to the King remains confidential. That is, in fact, a very important part of his role. He is the person with whom anyone can speak without the risk of that conversation being misused.”

Expertise and moral authority

Over the years, the King has gained experience in dealing with political crises and the formation of governments.

“He is supported in this by staff who advise him and offer their views on the political situation,” says Van den Wijngaert. “The King plays an important mediating role in the formation of governments or, as is the case now, during serious crises. But he never makes decisions himself. Nor must he ever take sides. It is precisely his neutrality that makes him credible to all parties.”

Vande Lanotte qualifies that mediating role. “The King will try here and there to find out more, ask questions and no doubt brief the Prime Minister on the matter. He will listen, offer advice and issue warnings. But it is not the case that King Filip will actually mediate. He cannot say: ‘Do it this way or that way’, and he must remain very cautious. To say that the King has a political role is an exaggeration.”

Nevertheless, the king commands respect, according to the experts. “Unlike, say, 10 years ago, he has now commanded respect across successive governments. We should be glad that such a figure exists,” says Valcke.

Vande Lanotte also sees a role for the King. “Through a kind of moral authority, he can persuade someone to take action. The King’s presence always adds a touch of drama to the situation.”

A week of calm and discretion

The postponement of the decision on the Prime Minister’s resignation is not unusual. It is a common occurrence in Belgian politics, and such a situation is sometimes referred to as a ‘mini-crisis’, explains Vande Lanotte. “The Prime Minister offers his resignation, the King takes it under consideration, and that gives people a week – sometimes a little longer – to continue negotiations.”

Although the King does not mediate personally, his intervention creates space for further discussions.

‘The King will listen and speak, but although people do not admit it, the various party leaders and deputy prime ministers will also be talking amongst themselves at that moment. This often takes place outside the main meetings, in informal and confidential discussions,’ explains Vande Lanotte.

The period of postponement also offers a certain degree of political calm. “For a week, you’ll hear relatively few statements. Normally, people respect that – or at least I hope they do.”

“Because De Wever is stepping down, parliament cannot question him during that period either. It is a period of calm, trust and discretion. Sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn’t,” says the privy councillor.

The best-informed person in the land

The King cannot compel political parties to reach an agreement. According to Van den Wijngaert, the King’s most important task is to ensure that the executive continues to function. “If he judges that a government is still sufficiently stable, he may decide not to accept its resignation.”

But the ultimate responsibility lies with the political parties. “It may help, but of course the party leaders must succeed in reaching an agreement. It is not the King who can broker that agreement,” says Vande Lanotte. “Although by the end of this week he may well be the best-informed person in the country when it comes to political sensitivities. That does mean he can make suggestions.”

Valcke warns against setting expectations too high. “No one should expect things to suddenly fall into place now. But by giving the party leaders time to set out their positions once more and emphasising the urgency of the situation, the King can certainly play his part.”

According to Valcke, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. “Most party leaders do not want elections straight away,” he says. “That may encourage them to seek a compromise after all.”

“I cannot read their minds, but I do think there is a chance of success. However, that will not happen in a day or a week,” Valcke concludes.