Majority of Belgians want to keep monarchy: Survey

BRUSSELS

More than half of Belgians want monarchy to continue in the country, according to a survey.

The research and consulting company, Ipsos, conducted a survey for Belgian media outlets Le Soir, HLN, RTL, and VTM.

The results revealed on Thursday showed that majority of the participants voted in favor of the monarchy.

While 28% of the participants wanted a republic, 57%, particularly those in Brussels and the French-speaking Wallonia region, supported the monarchy.

The rate of pro-monarchy citizens in Brussels and Wallonia was 63%, while it was 52% in the Dutch-speaking Flanders region.

The king has a symbolic presence in Belgium.

The current and eighth monarch King Philippe, 63, inherited the throne in 2013 due to his father's health condition.

* Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara