Senate (Belgium)

The Senate of Belgium is the upper house of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, above the House of Representatives. It was established in 1831 as being equal to the House, several reforms, most notably in 1993 and 2014. While the Senate today plays only a minor role in the legislative process, it still has, along with the House, full responsibility for the upholding of the Constitution and the organisation and functioning of the Country and Federal States. Following the 2014 reform, it now holds about ten sessions per year.

Senate Dutch: de Senaat French: le Sénat German: der Senat
Type
Type	Upper house
Leadership
President	Stephanie D'Hose, Open VLD since 13 October 2020
Structure
Seats	60 (10 of which are co-opted senators)
Political groups	Government (37) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  PS (7) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  MR (7) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  PFF (1)   CD&V (5) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  Ecolo (5) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  VLD (5) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  Groen (4)   Vooruit (4) Opposition (23) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  N-VA (9) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  VB (7) <span class="legend-color" style="background-color:; color:;border:1px solid darkgray;">  PVDA-PTB (5)   LE (2)
Length of term	5 years
Elections
Voting system	Indirect election
Last election	26 May 2019
Next election	May 2024
Meeting place
Website
http://www.senate.be/