Powers, government, autonomy

The Flemish Region and the Flemish Community have a Flemish Parliament and a Government of Flanders. This Flemish federal state, with Brussel as its capital, has its own legislative and executive powers including broad and exclusive domestic and international responsibilities.

Government of Flanders's competences

Flanders is competent for economics, foreign trade, health care, energy distribution, housing, agriculture and horticulture, environment, public works and transport, employment policy, culture and education, science and innovation.

Maximum autonomy of the Government of Flanders

Flanders has maximum autonomy in many domains. That’s because the Government of Flanders and the federal government are on equal footing and their powers do not overlap. Therefore, only one government serves as legislator for each policy domain and in principle, interference by another government is out of the question.

Autonomous foreign policy

Since the state reform of 1993, the Government of Flanders can conclude treaties with foreign partners for each of its domestic competences. Within its policy domains, Flanders concludes direct international treaties with foreign partners. Flanders has its own diplomatic representatives. It also has about one hundred representatives worldwide specialised in international entrepreneurship, agriculture and tourism that promote exchanges between other countries and Flanders.