Loppem Coup

The Loppem Coup, also known as the Loppem Agreement, refers to a series of private meetings convened by King Albert I at the Castle of Loppem from 11 to 14 November 1918. These discussions focused on Belgium's political future following World War I and involved prominent socialist and liberal figures such as Edward Anseele, Paul-Émile Janson, and Émile Francqui. Key topics included universal male suffrage, labor rights, and the status of the Dutch language in higher education.

The meetings preceded the formation of a national unity government under Léon Delacroix on 21 November, marking the end of Catholic dominance in Belgian politics. King Albert I announced reforms, including the abolition of plural voting and the establishment of a Dutch-language university. Conservative Catholics criticized these changes as unconstitutional, labeling them a coup. In response to these criticisms, King Albert issued a public letter in February 1930 clarifying his role in the discussions. The term "coup" was popularized by conservative critics in the 1930s, who accused the king of overstepping his constitutional authority.