Vincent Blondel has been elected as the 41st and likely last president of the Belgian Senate, which is set to be abolished by 2029.

The dissolution of the Senate will not eliminate its functions, which will need to be reassigned, possibly to the Chamber of Representatives.

The Senate currently provides equal representation of Belgium's federal entities in international parliamentary assemblies, a function that may be compromised without it.

Blondel emphasizes the importance of continued consultation with Regions and Communities regarding constitutional matters following the Senate's dissolution.

While Blondel does not advocate for a specific solution, he highlights the importance of the Senate's diplomatic roles.

The coalition government aims to achieve a structural saving of 8 million euros from the Senate budget by 2029, translating to about 20% savings, which will pose a significant challenge.

The Senate's annual budget is approximately 46 million euros, with over 80% of this amount spent on staff, indicating that personnel will still need to be accommodated after its abolition.

Despite the planned dissolution, eliminating the Senate is not expected to yield substantial savings, as most of its budget is allocated to personnel costs and maintenance.