Opposition (59) The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: Vlaams Parlementⓘ, formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the legislative power in Flanders for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and as a cultural community of Belgium (unlike the French Community and Wallonia, which each have separate legislatures: the Parliament of the French Community and the Parliament of Wallonia).

The laws issued by Parliament applied to all Belgians, and government ministers exercised their authority across the length and breadth of the country.

In English, they are referred to as "Members of the Flemish Parliament" (MFPs),[1] like the MSPs in Scotland and the MEPs in the European Union.

Regional legislation is only applicable to all persons in the Flemish Region whereas community legislation also applies to Flemish institutions or services in Brussels (and thus to persons in Brussels who choose to make use of these institutions or services, such as schools).

No hierarchy exists between (federal) laws and Flemish decrees, as each level is supposed to have clearly defined subject-matter jurisdiction.

The Flemish Parliament largely functions like its federal, community and regional counterparts, mutatis mutandis.

Thus, de facto the European decision-makers determine when the Flemish Parliament elections occur.

1995–1999 1999–2004 2004–2009 2009–2014 2014–2019 2019–2024 2024–present At the beginning of each parliamentary year, on the fourth Monday in September, the Flemish Parliament elects its Speaker.

The Speaker chairs the plenary sessions of the Flemish Parliament and acts as its official representative.

The Extended Bureau, which consists of the Bureau and the floor leaders of the recognised political fractions in the Flemish Parliament coordinates the political activities of the Flemish Parliament and sets the agenda for the plenary session.

Each committee is specialised in a particular subject area and consists of 15 Members of the Flemish Parliament.