World War II, national security, signing statements, and the scope of the unitary executive. Other systems Belgium Belgium is currently a federated state that has imposed the on different governmental levels. The constitution of 1831, considered one of the most liberal of its time for limiting the powers of its monarch and imposing a rigorous system of separation of powers, is based on three principles (represented in the Schematic overview of Belgian institutions). (horizontal separation of powers): The legislative power is attributed to a parliamentary body elected through a representative general election system (one person, one vote). The executive power is attributed to the Council of Ministers. Ministers are formally appointed by the King though in practice the prime minister decides the composition of his cabinet. The ministers are usually from the elected members of parliament (although non-elected people can also be nominated); however, they must first resign from their elected seat. The judicial power is in the hands of the courts. Magistrates are nominated by the minister on proposal from a Council of the Magistrates. Magistrates can be nominated to become a judge (sitting magistrates) or instructing judge (investigating judge) of Procureur (public prosecutor) (the standing magistrates). The executive branch of the government is responsible for providing the physical means to execute its role (infrastructure, staff, financial means). Judges and some other people cannot run for elected office while they are nominated to certain positions (military, police-officers, clergy, notaries, bailiffs). Subsidiarity (vertical separation of powers): Supranational directives (EU legislation) and international treaties are subjected to approval of the federal level (the federal level being Belgium the nation state) The federal level comprises the following: A bicameral parliament (House of Representatives and Senate) (in 2014 this will be a directly elected house and an indirectly appointed Senate of the regions) A federal government (led by the Prime Minister, ministers and secretaries of state) Tasked with overseeing justice, defence, foreign affairs, social security, and public health High Court, Constitutional Court, Cassation Court and Council of State The regional level comprises the following: A unicameral parliament A regional government led by the minister-president (ministers and secretaries of state) is tasked with regional matters Provinces also have similar structures: A unicameral provincial council A nominated provincial governor assisted by deputies is tasked with provincial matters Appellate Court, Assizes Court An intermediate level of Arrondissements subdivides the provinces it has only an executive level