1932 Belgian general election

General elections were held in Belgium on 27 November 1932.[1] The Catholic Party won 79 of the 187 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 42 of the 93 seats in the Senate.[2] Voter turnout was 94.3%.[3]

1932 Belgian general election

27 November 1932
All 187 seats in the Chamber of Representatives All 93 seats in the Senate
Leader Charles de Broqueville Joseph Van Roosbroeck Albert Devèze Party Catholic Labour Liberal Leader since Candidate for PM 1918 1927 Last election 71 seats, 35.38% 70 seats, 36.02% 28 seats, 16.55% Seats won 79 73 24 Seat change 8 3 4 Popular vote 856,027 824,946 313,722 Percentage 38.42% 37.03% 14.08% Swing 3.04% 1.01% 2.47%
Government before election de Broqueville II Catholic-Liberal Elected Government de Broqueville II Catholic-Liberal

Background

Prime Minister de Broqueville

The elections occurred during an economic crisis, the Great Depression. The Catholic-Liberal government led by Jules Renkin faced rising unemployment, derailing public finances and strikes benefiting the Communist Party. Parliamentary elections were due in May 1933 at the latest. On 18 October 1932, Prime Minister Renkin resigned under pressure from King Albert I, allowing the more experienced Charles de Broqueville to take charge. He immediately dissolved parliament and scheduled parliamentary elections for 27 November 1932.

Municipal elections had also occurred on 9 October 1932, where the Catholic Party lost ground to socialists and liberals. To avoid losses during the parliamentary elections, de Broqueville used the issue of education in the election campaign, which was a major issue under his previous 1911–1918 government.

His strategy worked; the Catholics won, but also the socialists and communists gained ground, whereas the liberals lost seats. The socialists refused to enter government, and the Catholic-Liberal coalition continued their government and proceeded to take drastic measures for economic recovery.

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Catholic Party	856,027	38.42	79	+8
	Belgian Labour Party	824,946	37.03	73	+3
	Liberal Party	313,722	14.08	24	–4
Frontpartij		126,113	5.66	8	–3
Communist Party of Belgium		64,552	2.90	3	+2
Other parties		42,516	1.91	0	–6
Invalid/blank votes		38,600	–	–	–
Total		2,266,476	100	187	0
Source: Belgian Elections

Senate

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/-
	Catholic Party	893,290	43.95	42	+4
	Belgian Labour Party	860,053	42.31	39	+3
	Liberal Party	339,127	16.69	11	-2
Frontpartij		119,740	5.89	1	-2
Communist Party of Belgium		54,902	2.70	0	New
Other parties		20,256	1.00	0	-3
Invalid/blank votes		105,105	–	–	-
Total		2,137,611	100	93	0
Source Belgian Elections

References

1. Nohlen, Dieter; Stöver, Philip (31 May 2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. p. 289. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p308
3. Nohlen & Stöver, p290