Support for the King

This weekend Mad Monarchist mentioned the book put out by anti-Belgian journalists in an effort to discredit the King by revealing confidential discussions between him and leading political figures, along with some accusations the palace has said is completely false. Of course, this infuriates me as people who want to destroy Belgium focus on bringing down the monarchie which is the one thing (and the King the one person) who is above regions and unites all people. However, I have found out that things are not so bad as they look so we can be given hope by that. There are people in politics today who have voiced their support for the King and his role in national life, defending him against those mouthing these secrets to ruin his ability to do his job and keep Belgium together.

MR Chairman Charles Michel said, "For the MR (Mouvement Réformateur) the colloque singulier is holy" and he also said it was "unresponsible" for people to infringe on the operation of the democratic institutions by robbing the King of his ability to discuss in confidence all the issues of the day.

Parti Socialiste Chairman Elio di Rupo also said that the colloque singulier is essential for confidence between the King and the leaders of the political parties and that people have to have respect for all the national institutions, including the monarchie and the King.

Chairwoman Joëlle Milquet of the CDH (Centre Démocrate Humaniste) also appealed for respect to the position of the King, saying, "This must stop. It can not go on this way. In politics there are basic rules, despite the generations or the political colours". She also said that it is her rule never to discuss with journalists what she has talked about with the King and the Palace Royal.

François Delpérée, constitutional specialist, also talked about the fields of culture, economy, politics and science that the King deals with. He says, "It is usual that these contacts find place in discretion. It happens that the King receives persons in audience and than he must feel free to say what he wants to say without the danger to read his words in the newspapers, the next day".

Finally, a statement from the Green Party said, "It is essential to allow the head of state to fulfill his role in all serenity. Infringement of the colloque singulier in this context forms a very problematic erosion of the royal function and can also be difficulting the opportunities to find a way out from institutional impasses".

So, of course, I am very upset by this disorder and shameful effort to denigrate the Crown but I am also encouraged to see the political leadership of such various parties (some notable by their absence) speaking up for the King and his essential place in Belgian government.

Vive l'roi!
Leve de koning!