Template:Infobox political party Template:Christian Democracy sidebar

Christian Democratic and Flemish<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; CD&V) is a Flemish Christian-democratic political party in Belgium.<ref name="Nordsieck"/><ref name="AnttiroikoMälkiä2007">Template:Cite book</ref> 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 {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, 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 minister-presidents 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.

HistoryEdit

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).<ref name="Lamberts1997">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Caramani2004">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.

IdeologyEdit

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.<ref name="vrt20240322">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Members holding notable public officesEdit

European politicsEdit

European Parliament
Name Committees Notes
Cindy Franssen Employment and Social Affairs
Women's Rights and Gender Equality
Special Committee on Beating Cancer
Tom Vandenkendelaere Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Replaces Kris Peeters, who became Vice-president of the EIB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Federal politicsEdit

Senate
Type Name Notes
Co-opted Senator Template:Flagicon Baroness Sabine de Bethune Faction leader
Community Senator Template:Flagicon Peter Van Rompuy Son of Herman Van Rompuy
Community Senator Template:Flagicon Karin Brouwers
Community Senator Template:Flagicon Orry Van de Wauwer
Community Senator Template:Flagicon Martine Fournier
Belgian Federal De Croo Government
Public Office Name Function
Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Peteghem Finance and the Coordination of the fight against fraud
Minister Annelies Verlinden the Interior, Institutional Reforms and Democratic Renewal
Secretary of State Sammy Mahdi Asylum and Migration

Regional politicsEdit

Flemish Parliament
Name Notes Name Notes
Template:Flagicon Peter Van Rompuy Fraction Leader Template:Flagicon Karin Brouwers Community Senator
Template:Flagicon Katrien Partyka Mayor of Tienen Template:Flagicon Jo Brouns Mayor of Kinrooi
Template:Flagicon Lode Ceyssens Mayor of Oudsbergen Template:Flagicon Vera Jans
Template:Flagicon Orry Van de Wauwer Community Senator Template:Flagicon Tinne Rombouts
Template:Flagicon Katrien Schryvers Template:Flagicon Koen Van den Heuvel Mayor of Puurs-Sint-Amands
Template:Flagicon Joke Schauvliege Template:Flagicon Stijn De Roo Replaces Vincent Van Peteghem, who became Federal Minister
Template:Flagicon Robrecht Bothuyne Template:Flagicon Maaike De Rudder Mayor of Sint-Gillis-Waas
Template:Flagicon Martine Fournier Community Senator Template:Flagicon Brecht Warnez Replace Hilde Crevits, who became Flemish Minister
Template:Flagicon Bart Dochy Mayor of Ledegem Template:Flagicon Loes Vandromme
Template:Flagicon Kurt Vanryckeghem Mayor of Waregem
Flemish Government Jambon
Public Office Name Function
Vice minister-president Hilde Crevits Economy, Employment, Social Economy, Innovation and Agriculture
Minister Wouter Beke Welfare, Health, Family and Poverty Reduction
Minister Benjamin Dalle relations with Brussels, Media and Youth
Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region
Name Notes
Bianca Debaets

Election resultsEdit

Chamber of RepresentativesEdit

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

<timeline> ImageSize = width:750 height:240 PlotArea = height:160 left:100 bottom:60 right:100 AlignBars = justify

DateFormat = x.y Period = from:0 till:30 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical AlignBars = justify ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:0

PlotData=

 bar:% color:orange width:22   mark:(line,white) align:left fontsize:S
 bar:1971 from:start till:19.7 text:"19.7"
 bar:1974 from:start till:23.3 text:"23.3"
 bar:1977 from:start till:23.3 text:"23.3"
 bar:1978 from:start till:26.1 text:"26.1"
 bar:1981 from:start till:19.3 text:"19.3"
 bar:1985 from:start till:21.3 text:"21.3"
 bar:1987 from:start till:19.5 text:"19.5"
 bar:1991 from:start till:16.8 text:"16.8"
 bar:1995 from:start till:17.2 text:"17.2"
 bar:1999 from:start till:14.1 text:"14.1"
 bar:2003 from:start till:13.3 text:"13.3"
 bar:2007 from:start till:18.5 text:"18.5"
 bar:2010 from:start till:10.9 text:"10.9"
 bar:2014 from:start till:11.6 text:"11.6"
 bar:2019 from:start till: 8.9 text:"8.9"
 bar:2024 from:start till: 7.9 text:7.9

</timeline>

Election Votes % Seats +/- Government
1971 967,701 18.3 Template:Composition bar Template:Yes2
1974 1,222,646 23.2 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 3 Template:Yes2
1977 1,460,757 26.2 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 6 Template:Yes2
1978 1,447,112 26.1 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 1 Template:Yes2
1981 1,165,239 19.3 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 14 Template:Yes2
1985 1,291,244 21.3 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 6 Template:Yes2
1987 1,195,363 19.4 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 6 Template:Yes2
1991 1,036,165 16.8 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 4 Template:Yes2
1995 1,042,933 17.2 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 10 Template:Yes2
1999 875,967 14.1 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 7 Template:No2
2003 870,749 13.3 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:No2
2007Template:Efn 1,234,950 18.5 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 4 Template:Yes2
2010 707,986 10.9 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 8 Template:Yes2
2014 783,060 11.6 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 1 Template:Yes2
2019 602,520 8.9 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 6 Template:Yes2
2024 557,392 7.9 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:Yes2

Template:Notelist

SenateEdit

Election Votes % Seats +/-
1971Template:Efn 1,547,853 29.7 Template:Composition bar
1974 1,219,811 25.5 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 15
1977 1,446,806 26.2 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 1
1978 1,420,777 25.9 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 1
1981 1,149,353 19.3 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 7
1985 1,260,113 21.0 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 3
1987 1,169,377 19.2 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 3
1991 1,028,699 16.8 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 2
1995 1,009,656 16.8 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 13
1999 913,508 14.7 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1
2003 832,849 12.7 Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0
2007Template:Efn 1,287,389 19.4 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 2
2010 646,375 10.0 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 4

Template:Notelist

RegionalEdit

Brussels ParliamentEdit

Election Votes % Seats +/- Government
Template:Abbr Overall
1989 18,523 4.2 (#6) Template:Composition bar Template:Yes2
1995 13,586 3.3 (#6) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:Yes2
1999 14,284 23.6 (#2) 2.3 (#6) Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0 Template:Yes2
2004Template:Efn 10,482 16.8 (#4) 2.3 (#9) Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0 Template:Yes2
2009 7,696 14.8 (#4) 1.7 (#9) Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0 Template:Yes2
2014 6,105 11.4 (#5) 1.3 (#13) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:Yes2
2019 5,231 7.5 (#6) 1.1 (#14) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:No2
2024 5,102 6.3 (#8) 1.0 (#15) Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0 Template:Centre

Template:Notelist

Flemish ParliamentEdit

Election Votes % Seats +/- Government
1995 1,010,505 26.8 (#1) Template:Composition bar Template:Yes2
1999 857,732 22.1 (#1) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 7 Template:No2
2004Template:Efn 1,060,580 26.1 (#1) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 Template:Yes2
2009 939,873 22.9 (#1) Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 2 Template:Yes2
2014 860,685 20.5 (#2) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 4 Template:Yes2
2019 652,766 15.4 (#3) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 8 Template:Yes2
2024 571,137 13.0 (#4) Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 3 Template:Yes2

Template:Notelist

ProvincialEdit

Election Votes % Councilors
1994 Template:Composition bar
2000 Template:Composition bar
2006 1,231,655 30.6 Template:Composition bar
2012 877,019 21.5 Template:Composition bar
2018 822,488 19.7 Template:Composition bar

European ParliamentEdit

Election List leader Votes % Seats +/- EP Group
Template:Abbr Overall
1979 Leo Tindemans 1,607,941 48.09 (#1) 29.54 Template:Composition bar New EPP
1984 1,132,682 32.53 (#1) 19.80 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 3
1989 1,247,075 34.08 (#1) 21.14 Template:Composition bar Template:Increase 1
1994 1,013,266 27.43 (#1) 16.98 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1
1999 Miet Smet 839,720 21.68 (#2) 13.49 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1 EPP-ED
2004Template:Efn Jean-Luc Dehaene 1,131,119 28.15 (#1) 17.43 Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0
2009 948,123 23.26 (#1) 14.43 Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0 EPP
2014 Marianne Thyssen 840,814 19.96 (#3) 12.56 Template:Composition bar Template:Decrease 1
2019 Kris Peeters 617,651 14.53 (#4) 9.17 Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0
2024 Wouter Beke 594,968 13.20 (#3) 8.84 Template:Composition bar Template:Steady 0

Template:Notelist

PresidentsEdit

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 alsoEdit

NotesEdit

Template:More footnotes <references/>

ReferencesEdit

  • 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

Further readingEdit

External linksEdit

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