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Christian Democratic and Flemish

Christian Democratic and Flemish[10][11] (Dutch: Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams, pronounced [ˈkrɪstə(n) deːmoːˈkraːtis ɛn ˈvlaːms] ⓘ, CD&V) is a Flemish Christian-democratic political party in Belgium.[2][3] The party has historical ties to both trade unionism (ACV) and trade associations (UNIZO) and the Farmer's League. Until 2001, the party was named the Christian People's Party (Christelijke Volkspartij, CVP).

It was traditionally the largest political party of Flanders, until it was overtaken by the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) in the 2010s. CD&V participated in most governments and has generally the largest number of mayors. Most Prime Ministers of Belgium and Ministers-President of Flanders have been CD&V politicians. Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council from 2009 to 2014, is one of the leading politicians of CD&V.

CD&V is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) and Centrist Democrat International.

History

The history of the CD&V dates back to the 19th century. It originated in the 19th century Catholic Party. At the end of the century, the new fraction of Christian democrats shifted the focus of the party slightly to the left. In the interwar years the party was renamed Catholic Bloc. Then, the Christian Social Party (PSC-CVP) existed from 1945 until 1968. In 1968, the PSC-CVP was split into the French-speaking Christian Social Party (PSC, now Les Engagés) and Flemish Christian People's Party (Christelijke Volkspartij CVP).[12][13] In 2001 the CVP changed its name to the CD&V.

The party was almost continually in power from its establishment until 1999, with the exception of 1954–1958. In 1999, the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) became the largest party in Belgium, and formed a majority purple government of liberals, social democrats and greens. The same happened in the Flemish Government, but with the addition of Flemish nationalists. In 2003 CD&V again lost the federal elections which continued the federal centre-left coalition, but this time without the Greens.

In 2004, Flemish elections were held and the CD&V once more became the largest political party by representation in the Flemish Parliament. Yves Leterme became Flemish minister-president. After successful local elections in 2006, the party became the largest party in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives after the federal elections of 2007. The CD&V led the subsequent coalition talks, which repeatedly stalled (see 2007–2008 Belgian government formation). On the 20 March 2008, a new federal government was finally assembled, led by Yves Leterme. Kris Peeters subsequently became the next minister-president of Flanders. From 30 December 2008 till 25 November 2009, Herman Van Rompuy led his first cabinet before becoming the first permanent president of the European Council. Afterwards, Yves Leterme led his second government.

In June 2009, Flemish elections were held and the CD&V remained the largest party of Flanders. Kris Peeters stayed as Flemish minister-president. The party also remained the largest Flemish party in the European Parliament after the 2009 European elections.

In 2010, the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD) decided to step out of the federal coalition, consequently ending the government. The federal elections of 2010 resulted in a major loss of historic proportions for CD&V, largely due to votes lost to the Flemish-nationalist New Flemish Alliance. In the campaign, former prime minister Yves Leterme took a subtle step aside as frontrunner of the party. The president of the party, Marianne Thyssen, had pre-electorally stated that she was a candidate to become prime minister.

On 6 December 2011, the Di Rupo Government was formed, with the CD&V as the largest Flemish party.

During the local elections in 2012, CD&V managed to remain the largest Flemish party on the local level. It remained in the coalition of all five Flemish provinces and in three quarters of the municipalities. Almost half of these municipalities were subsequently led by CD&V mayors.

Ideology

CD&V is a Flemish party that follows the principle of Christian democracy. Its core values include the importance of the family, promoting a respectful and warm society, and recognizing the intrinsic value of each individual. The party places a strong emphasis on well-being and health care, as well as the pursuit of an equitable income for all citizens. However, on the ethical front, CD&V holds conservative positions, particularly on issues such as abortion and euthanasia, where the party is reluctant to fast-track relaxations. Combining these conservative ethics with progressive socioeconomic policies, CD&V is often considered a "centre party". In its administrative activities, CD&V nurtures close ties with civil society, including trade unions, professional federations and various associations. In doing so, the party strives to represent the voice of rural areas and the agricultural sector.[14]

Members holding notable public offices

European politics

Federal politics

Regional politics

Election results

Chamber of Representatives

Results for the Chamber of Representatives, in percentages for the Kingdom of Belgium. From 1971 tot 1999: CVP figures. 2003: CD&V figures. 2007: CD&V/N-VA figures. From 2010 onwards: CD&V figures.

2024 Belgian federal election2019 Belgian federal election2014 Belgian federal election2010 Belgian federal election2007 Belgian federal election2003 Belgian federal election1999 Belgian federal election1995 Belgian federal election1991 Belgian federal election1987 Belgian general election1985 Belgian general election1981 Belgian general election1978 Belgian general election1977 Belgian general election1974 Belgian general election1971 Belgian general election
  1. ^ In coalition with N-VA; 30 seats won by CD&V/N-VA

Senate

  1. ^ In coalition with Christian Social Party
  2. ^ In coalition with N-VA; 9 seats won by CD&V/N-VA

Regional

Brussels Parliament

  1. ^ In coalition with N-VA; 3 seats won by CD&V/N-VA

Flemish Parliament

  1. ^ In coalition with N-VA; 35 seats won by CD&V/N-VA

Provincial

European Parliament

  1. ^ In coalition with N-VA; 4 seats won by CD&V/N-VA

Presidents

CVP/PSC

CVP

CD&V

Until 1968 this lists gives the president of the Flemish part of the unitary CVP/PSC. The party changed its name from CVP to CD&V on 29 September 2001.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Ondanks hoeraberichten: steeds minder partijleden". vrtnws. 23 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  3. ^ a b Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko; Matti Mälkiä (2007). Encyclopedia of Digital Government. Idea Group Inc (IGI). p. 397. ISBN 978-1-59140-790-4. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  4. ^ Bale, Tim (2021). Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis. Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-009-00686-6. OCLC 1256593260.
  5. ^ Devillers, Sophie; Baudewyns, Pierre; De Winter, Lieven; Reuchamps, Min (1 November 2018). "Who do you feel and what future do you want for Belgium? A comparison of candidates and voters' identities and institutional preferences" (PDF). In Vandeleene, Audrey; De Winter, Lieven; Baudewyns, Pierre (eds.). Candidates, Parties and Voters in the Belgian Partitocracy. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-3-319-96460-7.
  6. ^ Keman, Hans (25 July 2008). "The Low Countries: Confrontation and Coalition in Segmented Societies". In Colomer, Josep M. (ed.). Comparative European Politics (3rd ed.). Routledge. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-134-07354-2.
  7. ^ Derks, Anton (2007). "Populist Challenges to the Welfare State in Belgium: On the Susceptibility of the Underprivileged for Anti-Welfare State Discourse and Politics". In Mau, Steffen; Veghte, Benjamin (eds.). Social Justice, Legitimacy and the Welfare State. Ashgate Publishing. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-7546-4939-7.
  8. ^ Hyman, Richard; Gumbrell-McCormick, Rebecca (2010). "Trade unions, politics and parties: is a new configuration possible?" (PDF). Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research. 16 (3): 315–331. doi:10.1177/1024258910373863. S2CID 154513832.
  9. ^ "Politieke fracties". Benelux Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  10. ^ Brown, Stephen (1 December 2019). "Flanders' new battleground: culture". Politico. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  11. ^ Bock, Pauline (7 October 2020). "Why did it take so long to form Belgium's new 'Vivaldi' coalition?". Euronews. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  12. ^ Emiel Lamberts (1 January 1997). Christian Democracy in the European Union, 1945/1995: Proceedings of the Leuven Colloquium, 15-18 November 1995. Leuven University Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-90-6186-808-8. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  13. ^ Daniele Caramani (29 March 2004). The Nationalization of Politics: The Formation of National Electorates and Party Systems in Western Europe. Cambridge University Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-521-53520-5. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Waar staat CD&V voor?" (in Dutch). VRT NWS. 2024-04-15.
  15. ^ "CKris Peeters vertrekt naar Europese Investeringsbank". De Standaard (in Dutch). 8 October 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.

References

Further reading

External links