Christian Democratic and Flemish

Christian Democratic and Flemish ( , CD&V) is a Flemish Christian democratic political party in Belgium. 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 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.

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). 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.

Members holding notable public offices European politics European ParliamentNameCommitteesNotesCindy FranssenEmployment and Social AffairsWomen's Rights and Gender EqualitySpecial Committee on Beating CancerTom VandenkendelaereCommittee on the Internal Market and Consumer ProtectionSubcommittee on Security and DefenceReplaces Kris Peeters, who became Vice-president of the EIB

Federal politics Chamber of RepresentativesName Notes Name Notes Servais VerherstraetenFaction leader Jef Van den Bergh Nahima Lanjri Koen Geens Els Van Hoof Steven MatheïReplaces Wouter Beke, who became Flemish Minister Nawal Farih Jan Briers Leen Dierick Nathalie Muylle Hendrik Bogaert Franky DemonSenateType Name NotesCo-opted Senator Baroness Sabine de BethuneFaction leaderCommunity Senator Peter Van RompuySon of Herman Van RompuyCommunity Senator Karin BrouwersCommunity Senator Orry Van de WauwerCommunity Senator Martine Fournier

Belgian Federal De Croo GovernmentPublic OfficeNameFunctionDeputy Prime MinisterVincent Van PeteghemFinance and the Coordination of the fight against fraudMinisterAnnelies Verlindenthe Interior, Institutional Reforms and Democratic RenewalSecretary of StateSammy MahdiAsylum and Migration

Regional politics Flemish ParliamentName Notes Name Notes Peter Van RompuyFraction Leader Karin BrouwersCommunity Senator Katrien PartykaMayor of Tienen Jo BrounsMayor of Kinrooi Lode CeyssensMayor of Oudsbergen Vera Jans Orry Van de WauwerCommunity Senator Tinne Rombouts Katrien Schryvers Koen Van den HeuvelMayor of Puurs-Sint-Amands Joke Schauvliege Stijn De RooReplaces Vincent Van Peteghem, who became Federal Minister Robrecht Bothuyne Maaike De RudderMayor of Sint-Gillis-Waas Martine FournierCommunity Senator Brecht WarnezReplace Hilde Crevits, who became Flemish Minister Bart DochyMayor of Ledegem Loes Vandromme Kurt VanryckeghemMayor of Waregem Flemish Government JambonPublic OfficeNameFunctionVice minister-presidentHilde CrevitsEconomy, Employment, Social Economy, Innovation and AgricultureMinisterWouter BekeWelfare, Health, Family and Poverty ReductionMinisterBenjamin Dallerelations with Brussels, Media and Youth Parliament of the Brussels-Capital RegionName NotesBianca Debaets

Election results Chamber of Representatives 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.

Election Votes % Seats +/- Government 1971 967,701 18.3 1974 1,222,646 23.2 3 1977 1,460,757 26.2 6 1978 1,447,112 26.1 1 1981 1,165,239 19.3 14 1985 1,291,244 21.3 6 1987 1,195,363 19.4 6 1991 1,036,165 16.8 4 1995 1,042,933 17.2 10 1999 875,967 14.1 7 2003 870,749 13.3 1 2007 1,234,950 18.5 4 2010 707,986 10.9 8 2014 783,060 11.6 1 2019 602,520 8.9 6 2024557,3927.9 1

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

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

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

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

European Parliament Election List leader Votes % Seats +/- EP Group Overall 1979 Leo Tindemans 1,607,941 48.09 (#1) 29.54 NewEPP 1984 1,132,682 32.53 (#1) 19.80 3 1989 1,247,075 34.08 (#1) 21.14 1 1994 1,013,266 27.43 (#1) 16.98 1 1999 Miet Smet 839,720 21.68 (#2) 13.49 1 EPP-ED 2004 Jean-Luc Dehaene 1,131,119 28.15 (#1) 17.43 0 2009 948,123 23.26 (#1) 14.43 0 EPP 2014 Marianne Thyssen 840,814 19.96 (#3) 12.56 1 2019 Kris Peeters 617,651 14.53 (#4) 9.17 0 2024 Wouter Beke 594,968 13.20 (#3) 8.84 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) 2019–2022 Joachim Coens 2022–present Sammy Mahdi

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 Christene Volkspartij Graves de communi re

Notes

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

Further reading

External links Official website CD&V page on the website of the European People's Party