Belgian Constitution of 1831 approved by the National Congress

Background. The National Congress was a temporary legislative assembly convened in 1830 after the Belgian Revolution. Its purpose was to devise a national constitution for the new state, whose independence had been proclaimed on 4 October 1830. The Congress was elected by approximately 30,000 voters on 3 November 1830 and consisted of 200 members.

Political Context. The members of the National Congress reflected a variety of political ideals, but the vast majority supported the "Union of Oppositions" which had emerged before the revolution. The 1831 constitution was a compromise between the landowners and clergy on the one hand and the liberal middle class on the other.

Constitutional Principles. The Constitution of 1831 was very progressive for its time. It established Belgium as a parliamentary monarchy applying principles of ministerial responsibility and separation of powers. The official version was written in French, making it comprehensible only to part of the national population.