Christian Democratic and Flemish

Christian Democratic and Flemish
Christian Democratic and Flemish; Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams
President	Joachim Coens
Founded	1968 (CVP); 2001 (CD&V)
Preceded by	Christian Social Party
Headquarters	Wetstraat 89; 1040 Brussels
Membership (2018)	50,000[1]
Ideology	Christian democracy[2][3]
Political position	Centre[4][5][6] to centre-right[7]
European affiliation	European People's Party
International affiliation	Centrist Democrat International
European Parliament group	European People's Party
French-speaking counterpart	Humanist Democratic Centre
German-speaking counterpart	Christian Social Party
Colours	Orange
Chamber of Representatives; (Flemish seats)	12 / 87
Senate; (Flemish seats)	5 / 35
Flemish Parliament	19 / 124
Brussels Parliament; (Flemish seats)	1 / 17
European Parliament; (Flemish seats)	2 / 12
Flemish Provincial Councils	40 / 175
Website
	www.cdenv.be
	Politics of Belgium; Political parties; Elections;

Christian Democratic and Flemish[8][9] (Dutch: Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams, listen ; 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, or 'Parti conservateur' (Conservative 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 Humanist Democratic Centre, cdH) and Flemish Christian People's Party (Christelijke Volkspartij CVP).[10][11] 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.

Electoral results (1971–2014)

Federal Parliament

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.

Chamber of Representatives

Election year	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	# of overall seats won	# of language group seats won	+/-	Government	Notes
1995	1,042,933	17.2	29 / 150			in coalition
1999	875,967	14.1	22 / 150		7	in opposition
2003	870,749	13.3	21 / 150	21 / 88	1	in opposition
2007	1,234,950	18.5	25 / 150	25 / 88	4	in coalition	In cartel with N-VA; 30 seats won by CD&V/N-VA
2010	707,986	10.9	17 / 150	17 / 88	8	in coalition
2014	783,060	11.6	18 / 150	18 / 88	1	in coalition
2019	602,520	8.9	12 / 150	8 / 88	6	in coalition

Senate

Election year	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	% of language group vote	# of overall seats won	# of language group seats won	+/-	Notes
1995	1,009,656	16.8	26.9 (#1)	7 / 40	7 / 25
1999	913,508	14.7	23.6 (#2)	6 / 40	6 / 25	1
2003	832,849	12.7	20.4 (#3)	6 / 40	6 / 25	0
2007	1,287,389	19.4	31.4 (#1)	8 / 40	8 / 25	2	In cartel with N-VA; 9 seats won by CD&V/N-VA
2010	646,375	10.0	16.2 (#2)	4 / 40	4 / 25	4	Last direct election

Brussels Parliament

Election year	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	% of language group vote	# of overall seats won	# of language group seats won	+/-	Notes
1989	18,523	4.2 (#6)		4 / 75
1995	13,586	3.3 (#6)		3 / 75		1
1999	14,284	3.4	23.6 (#2)	3 / 75		0
2004	10,482	2.3	16.8 (#4)	3 / 89	3 / 17	0	In cartel with N-VA; 3 seats won by CD&V/N-VA
2009	7,696	1.7	14.9 (#4)	3 / 89	3 / 17	0
2014	6,105	1.3	11.4 (#5)	2 / 89	2 / 17	1

Flemish Parliament

Election year	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	# of overall seats won	+/–	Government	Notes
1995	1,010,505	26.8 (#1)	37 / 124		in coalition
1999	857,732	22.1 (#1)	30 / 124	7	in opposition
2004	1,060,580	26.1 (#1)	29 / 124	1	in coalition	In cartel with N-VA; 35 seats won by CD&V/N-VA
2009	939,873	22.9 (#1)	31 / 124	2	in coalition
2014	860,685	20.48 (#2)	27 / 124	4	in coalition
2019	652,766	15.40 (#3)	19 / 124	8	in coalition

Provincial elections

Provincial councils
year	number of votes	share of votes	numer of councilors
1994			152 / 401
2000			128 / 411
2006	1,231,655	30.6%	136 / 411
2012	877,019	21.5%	82 / 351
2018	822,488	19.7%	40 / 175

European Parliament

Election year	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	% of electoral college vote	# of overall seats won	# of electoral college won	+/-	Notes
1979	1,607,941		48.1 (#1)	7 / 24	7 / 13
1984	1,132,682		32.5 (#1)	4 / 24	4 / 13	3
1989	1,247,075		34.1 (#1)	5 / 24	5 / 13	1
1994	1,013,266		27.4 (#1)	4 / 25	4 / 14	1
1999	839,720		21.7 (#2)	3 / 25	3 / 14	1
2004	1,131,119		28.2 (#1)	3 / 24	3 / 14	0	In cartel with N-VA; 4 seats won by CD&V/N-VA
2009	948,123		23.3 (#1)	3 / 22	3 / 13	0
2014	840,814	12.57	20.0 (#3)	2 / 21	2 / 12	1
2019	617,651	9.17	14.53 (#4)	2 / 21	2 / 12	0

Presidents

CVP/PSC

1945–1947 Gilbert Mullie
1947–1949 Paul Willem Segers
1949–1959 Jef De Schuyffeleer
1959–1961 Fred Bertrand
1961–1963 Jozef De Saeger
1963–1968 Robert Vandekerckhove

CVP

1968–1972 Robert Vandekerckhove
1972–1979 Wilfried Martens
1979–1982 Leo Tindemans
1982–1988 Frank Swaelen
1988–1993 Herman Van Rompuy
1993–1996 Johan Van Hecke
1996–1999 Marc Van Peel
1999–2001 Stefaan De Clerck

CD&V

2001–2003 Stefaan De Clerck
2003–2004 Yves Leterme
2004–2007 Jo Vandeurzen
2007–2008 Etienne Schouppe
2008–2008 Wouter Beke
2008–2010 Marianne Thyssen
2010–2019 Wouter Beke
2019 Cindy Franssen & Griet Smaers (ad interim)
2019– Joachim Coens

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.

Notes

"Open VLD heeft de meeste leden en steekt CD&V voorbij". deredactie.be. 30 October 2014.
Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
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.
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.
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 1-134-07354-2.
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.
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). doi:10.1177/1024258910373863.
Brown, Stephen (1 December 2019). "Flanders' new battleground: culture". Politico. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
Bock, Pauline (7 October 2020). "Why did it take so long to form Belgium's new 'Vivaldi' coalition?". Euronews. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
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.
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.

References

Th. Luykx and M. Platel, Politieke geschiedenis van België, 2 vol., Kluwer, 1985
W. Dewachter, Tussen staat en maatschappij, 1945–1995, christendemocratie in België, Tielt, 1995.
E. Witte, J. Craeybeckx en A. Meynen, Politieke geschiedenis van België, Standaard, 1997

External links

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[1] "Open VLD heeft de meeste leden en steekt CD&V voorbij". deredactie.be. 30 October 2014.

[Nordsieck-2] Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 2019-05-30.

[AnttiroikoMälkiä2007-3] 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] 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.

[5] 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 1-134-07354-2.

[6] 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.

[7] 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). doi:10.1177/1024258910373863.

[8] Brown, Stephen (1 December 2019). "Flanders' new battleground: culture". Politico. Retrieved 4 January 2021.

[9] Bock, Pauline (7 October 2020). "Why did it take so long to form Belgium's new 'Vivaldi' coalition?". Euronews. Retrieved 4 January 2021.

[Lamberts1997-10] 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.

[Caramani2004-11] 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.