Druck Kopfbild

In which fields of competences does the German-speaking Community act?

The Parliament is the legislator for the German-speaking Community. Its core task is to adopt decrees. The Parliament creates the legal framework for the Community's own affairs, which have been delegated by the federal state. The Parliament can also legislate on certain matters which were originally within the competence of the Walloon Region.

The Belgian Constitution determines the matters in which Parliament may adopt decrees.

Article 130 of the Constitution defines the Community competences:

  • cultural matters,
  • personal matters (i.e. family, health and social issues),
  • education, with the following exceptions:
    • the determination of the beginning and end of compulsory schooling,
    • the minimum conditions for issuing diplomas,
    • the pension regulations for the staff within the educational system,
  • inter-community and international cooperation, including the conclusion of agreements on the above matters,
  • cooperation between the Communities and international cooperation, including the conclusion of treaties
  • the use of languages in education.

Article 139 of the Constitution states that Parliament and the Government may exercise regional powers. Prerequisite: an agreement regarding the delegation of powers must be reached beforehand with the Walloon Region. Since 1994, competences have been transferred from the Region to the Community on several occasions. Parliament can therefore adopt decrees on the following regional issues:

  • protection of monuments and landscape (1994) and excavations (1999),
  • employment policy (1999 and 2015),
  • supervision and financing of the municipalities (2004, 2009 and 2014),
  • tourism (reassigned after 6th state reform) (2014),
  • regional development (2019),
  • housing (2019),
  • parts of the energy policy (2019).
Zurück Drucken Teilen