What responsibilities remain with Belgium’s national government?

Following the constitutional reforms that transformed Belgium into a federal state, power is shared between the national government and regional authorities. While regional bodies hold primary responsibility for areas such as the environment, energy, agriculture, transportation, and public works, the national government retains specific, critical powers.

The national government maintains responsibility for the following areas:

• Defense: Management of the Belgian armed forces.12
• Foreign Policy: Oversight of the country's international relations.1
• Justice: Administration of the national legal and judicial systems.1
• Shared Responsibilities: The national government shares authority with the regions over economic matters, labor, and foreign trade.1

Additionally, the federal government continues to play a role in maintaining national stability and managing the country's broader fiscal and social security policies.34