Government reaches agreement to abolish Senate: “It has long outlived its political purpose”

The federal government has reached an agreement to permanently abolish the Senate. Its powers will be transferred to the Chamber of Representatives, and there will be no replacement body. Karl Vanlouwe, group leader in the Senate, welcomes the decision: “The Senate hasn’t had any real political value for years. Its abolition is simply common sense.”

Constitutional reform still required

The move isn’t final yet—a constitutional amendment is still needed. Prime Minister Bart De Wever explains: “A two-thirds majority is required to amend the Constitution—both in the Senate and the Chamber. As a government, we don’t have that majority. We hope the opposition won’t play political games and will approve the proposal. That would finally allow us to close the chapter in 2029.”

“Vivaldi kept resuscitating the Senate”

Vanlouwe believes the decision should have come much sooner: “The Senate hasn’t made a meaningful contribution in recent years. Yet under the Vivaldi coalition, it was repeatedly kept on life support. Some parties regularly tabled resolutions there that really belonged in the Chamber or the Flemish Parliament—just to push them through more quickly.”

If Parliament approves the constitutional reform, the Senate will be officially dissolved in 2029.