New Rules, New Political Class? Analysis of the Impact of the Electoral Reforms in Belgium on the 2014 Elections and Aftermath.

At the eve of the 2014 “mammoth elections”, the Belgian electoral systems are in question. According to the eight parties having contributed to the sixth State reform, it is time for a “political renewal”. The agreement of October 2011 plans that the Senate will cease to be a permanent institution composed of directly elected senators. The latter will be instead replaced by regional MPs with dual offices. The agreement also provides the (principle of) vertical simultaneity between the regional, federal and European elections while it bans dual candidature and forces candidates to seat where th... Mehr ...