Reynders against abolition of Royal Assent

Foreign affairs minister and deputy PM Didier Reynders is not in favour of abolishing the Royal Assent for laws and decrees, as suggested by several Flemish politicians. "I don’t think we should also take such drastic measures," the head of the Belgian diplomacy told Bel-RTL this morning. Reynders said, however, that he was in favour of modernising the royal function. He added that the government had already taken steps with regard to royal stipends. Nor did he oppose the idea of changing the king’s role in the formation of a new government, which currently includes the designation by the monarch of an informateur and, later, a formateur – effectively the furture prime minister. "This is not required by the Constitution", said Reynders. Asked about future Belgian economic missions, Reynders said he hoped they would still be carried out by a member of the royal family. He is also  confident that, as king, Philippe will travel abroad, hoping to add an "economic aspect" to his visits.