The Party for Freedom and Progress (; ; ; PVV-PLP) was a liberal political party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992. The party was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in the Flemish Community of Belgium by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) and in the French Community by the Liberal Reformist Party, Parti des Réformes et des Libertés de Wallonie and the current-day Reformist Movement. In the German-speaking Community, it continued to exist as the Party for Freedom and Progress up to 2023.

History Foundation of a new party

In 1961, Omer Vanaudenhove, leader of the Liberal Party, reorganised it into the Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang/Parti de la Liberté et du Progrès (PVV/PLP). The new party, among other things, jettisoned the Liberals' traditional anti-clericalism. In 1965, the party obtained a victory in the general elections with 21.6% of the votes. In 1966, the PVV joined the government of Paul Vanden Boeynants. The liberal ministers during this period were Willy De Clercq, Jacques Van Offelen, Frans Grootjans, Herman Vanderpoorten, Charles Poswick and August De Winter.

Separation between PVV and PRL

On 27 June 1971, the party was split up in a Flemish (PVV) and Walloon party (the Liberal Reformist Party, PRL). Only a few months later, on 24 September 1971, the parliament was dissolved. In the elections which followed The Flemish PVV gained votes, but the Walloon PRL lost in the elections.

In this period (1971–1992), the PVV ministers in the government were: Willy De Clercq, Herman Vanderpoorten, Herman De Croo, Karel Poma, Alfred Vreven, André Kempinaire, Guy Verhofstadt, Louis Waltniel, Jean Pede, Patrick Dewael, Ward Beysen, and Jacky Buchmann.

The PRL ministers in the government were: André Damseaux, François-Xavier de Donnea, Jean Gol, Louis Olivier, Charles Poswick, and Michel Toussaint.

Flanders: VLD

In Flanders, the PVV ceased to exist in 1992. On 15 November 1992, the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) was founded.

French-speaking Community: MR

In 1976, the name of the party was changed into Parti des Réformes et des Libertés de Wallonie|Parti de Réformes et de la Liberté en Wallonie (PRLW). In 1979, the name was changed to Liberal Reformist Party (PRL) after the merger with the Liberal Party of Brussels. In March 2002, the PRL merged with the German-speaking Party for Freedom and Progress (PFF) of the East Cantons, the Democratic Front of Francophones (FDF) and the Citizens' Movement for Change (MCC) into the Reformist Movement (MR).

Presidents Presidents PVV-PLP 1961 – 1968 : Omer Vanaudenhove 1968 – 1969 : Norbert Hougardy and Milou Jeunehomme (co-presidency) 1969 – 1972 : Pierre Descamps

Presidents PVV 1972 – 1973 : Willy De Clercq 1973 – 1977 : Frans Grootjans 1977 – 1982 : Willy De Clercq 1982 – 1985 : Guy Verhofstadt 1985 – 1989 : Annemie Neyts 1989 – 1992 : Guy Verhofstadt

Notable members Lucienne Herman-Michielsens (1926–1995) Jean Rey (1902–1983), President of the European Commission Jules Audent (1834-1910)

Electoral results Federal Parliament Chamber Election year # of overall votes % of overall vote % of languagegroup vote # of overall seats won # of languagegroup seats won +/- Notes 1987 709,75811.5 (#4) 3 1991 738,01612.0 (#3) 1

Regional parliaments Brussels Parliament Election year # of overall votes % of overall vote % of languagegroup vote # of overall seats won # of languagegroup seats won +/- Notes 1989 12,1432.8 (#8)

European Parliament Election year # of overall votes % of overall vote % of electoralcollege vote # of overall seats won # of electoralcollege seats won +/- Notes 1979 512,363 9.4 15.3 1984 494,277 14.2 0 1989 625,561 17.1 0

See also Liberalism in Belgium Liberal Archive

Notes

Sources Liberal Archive History of liberalism in Belgium Th. Luykx, M. Platel, Politieke geschiedenis van België, 2 vol., Kluwer, 1985 E. Witte, J. Craeybeckx, A. Meynen, Politieke geschiedenis van België, Standaard, 1997