Belgium's monarchy spending downsized but princely perks preserved

Рет қаралды 53,444

11 жыл бұрын

Belgium's new King Philippe will apply a reform of the royal finances approved by the government...
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Belgium's new King Philippe will apply a reform of the royal finances approved by the government last month, a political gesture in keeping with the austerity of the times. He and his queen and father will be spared cuts, but the other members of the family will see allowances paid by the state reduced. All of them will finally lose their exemptions from income tax and 21% VAT.
The royal official budget, known as the 'Civil List', in Belgium runs to roughly 11 million euros, most of that for salaries and the rest to cover palatial maintenance and bills. The Civil List must enable the King to carry out his constitutional tasks.
Anti-monarchists chafe at the costs of a monarchy but others insist it's been proven that republics are more expensive.
Anyway, in Belgium, a country with serious financial problems, more than half of what the monarchy costs is not covered in the king's budget but by various ministries.
These so-called 'hidden costs' run to an additional nearly 18 million euros per year.
The Federal State also grants a "dotation" to various members of the Royal Family. The principle, officially, is to preserve royal function in moral and material independence. Under the reform, in future, state support to most of them will end. But for now, not only the new king is accorded an allowance, but his brother and sister, although those allowances have been reduced.
The widow of the late King Baudoin, Queen Fabiola, has had her 1.4 million divided by three. In graphic terms, the next figures are already revised, for the new king - nearly a million - and his siblings Astrid and Laurent - who don't have much of a role but will still get more than 300,000 a year.
The total cost of Belgium's monarchy then tops 30 million euros. The reform actually shaved away around one million euros - but then the future taxing of the royals' purses will bring in a bit, too.
The outgoing King Albert will also keep his annual tax-free allowance of 11.5 million euros. His personal fortune, largely inherited, according to official accounting, is only 12.4 million - the palace website acknowledging a yacht and a spot in the south of France - but unofficial expert opinions put it closer to one billion euros, with property and contents valued at some 780 million.
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Пікірлер: 27

@richardsamuel8108 3 жыл бұрын

Long Live The Kingdom of Belgium

@bnkundwa 3 жыл бұрын

It is from the Belgium royals history becomes clear especially about national responsibility.

@henrikpersson1962 4 жыл бұрын

Could Belgium continue as a state without the monarchy?

@siononalundula1699 4 жыл бұрын

It couldn’t. Some of them probably wouldn’t admit it, but had Belgium not had a Monarchy, it would have broken up by now.

@adesinaremilekun4582 Жыл бұрын

I greet the Belgium Royal family a happy great day.

@dboyfff 9 жыл бұрын

Nor sure spending should be downsized but yes budgeting should be important....

@bmurat1991 9 жыл бұрын

BELGUIM !!!!!

@stijnvanhalen3196 11 жыл бұрын

Serious financial problems?? Get your facts straight, if you compare Belgium's finances against the UK, France, the US, … we haven't got shit problems!

@metadietz8606 9 жыл бұрын

Wow! I'd like to get 300k euro a year for basically doing nothing

@hafsatufail1130 9 жыл бұрын

@eliegbert8121 4 жыл бұрын

sounds like most politicians your retarded republican

@metadietz8606 4 жыл бұрын

Belgium doesn't need a royal family.

@eliegbert8121 4 жыл бұрын

@@metadietz8606 first off mad props for responding that quickly to a 5 year old comment second off the importance of a ceremonial hereditary figurehead of state with loose government affiliations and advisory positions is not to be understated in regards to the mental and structural wellbeing of the country and its subjects or in any other matter.

@greekre 3 жыл бұрын

it may cost more for a republic but at least its a democratic process

@wayneblake4596 7 жыл бұрын

I OWN THE INTERNET

@thiagomoreira5897 2 жыл бұрын

God save Prince Gabriel, the Duke of Brabant, who by ancient law was supposed to be the Crown Prince of Belgium, King Philip's first son and therefore his legitimate and first heir. Long live the monarchy and its tradition.

@haroldlawson8771 2 жыл бұрын

He isn’t the law was change before his parents were even married