EARLY BELGIAN COLONIAL EFFORTS - The University of Texas at ...

the king is “inviolable,” however, what is to prevent him from acting
unconstitutionally? Lastly, Article 65 states, “The King appoints and dismisses his
ministers.” 76 It appears that the king has it both ways, and they are both to his benefit.
In terms of foreign affairs and any authority to undertake colonial development,
Article 66, 77 among other powers, states, ”…He appoints persons to posts…connected
with external relations…”, 78 Article 68 states, ”The King…makes treaties of peace,
alliance and commerce…”, 79 and lastly, Article 78 states that “The King has no powers
save those formally vested in him by the Constitution and the special laws passed in
accordance with the constitution itself.” There certainly seems to be ample room for an
aggressive ruler such as Leopold I to see in these sections of the Constitution the power
to advance colonial authority. 80
These sections were obviously adopted with the reign of William II in mind, but
seem to have been watered down by the process of compromise at the convention. The
problem was, as with all new countries or constitutions, the lack of precedent. There
were simply no earlier examples of how this was to function. Did this leave the king
without the ability to pursue his own initiatives unless endorsed by Parliament or a
minister? Could the king pursue programs and policies with his own backing that did
not reflect parliamentary will? Was the king distinguishable from the monarchy, and if
so, how?
76 Ibid.
77 Ibid.
78 Ibid.
79 Ibid.
80 Lefebvre, 37-8.
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