NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Flemish Liberals and Democrats

The Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or VLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) is a Flemish liberal party, created in 1992 from the former PVV and a few other politicians from other parties. The party has been in government since 1999. Since June 2003 it has formed the Federal Government with the cartel SP.a-Spirit, PS and the liberal MR. In the Flemish Parliament the VLD formed a coalition government with SP.a-Spirit and the Christian Democrats after the 2004 regional election. Flanders (Dutch: ) has several main meanings: the social, cultural and linguistical, scientific and educational, economical and political community of the Flemings; some prefer to call this the Flemish community (others refer to this as the Flemish nation) which is, with over 6 million inhabitants, the majority of all Belgians; a... This is a list about liberalism and political parties around the world. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... PVV can mean: Programvareverkstedet Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang (Party for Freedom and Progress), is the former name of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats a Flemish/Belgian liberal party This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Belgian political parties-Flanders ... The Parti Socialiste or PS of Belgium is a French-speaking social democratic political party. ... The Mouvement RÃ©formateur (MR) is a Belgian French-speaking liberal party, favoring a united Belgium. ... A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a cabinet in parliamentary government in which several parties cooperate. ... Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Belgian political parties-Flanders ... Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a political party in Belgium, formerly called Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP) (Christian Peoples Party). ... On June 13, 2004, regional elections were held in Belgium, to choose representatives in the regional councils of Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, as well as in the German Community Council. ...

Ideologically, the VLD started as a right-wing, somewhat Thatcherite party under its founder, Guy Verhofstadt. On economic issues the VLD rapidly became more centrist and gave up much of its free-market approach. Party chairman Bart Somers called in November 2006 for a "revolution" within the party, saying that "a liberal party," like the VLD, "can only be progressive and social."^[1] Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ...

From 2000 to 2004, during the second period of its participation in the Belgian federal government and under Belgian prime-minister Guy Verhofstadt, the VLD allegedly lost most of its ideological appeal. Several of its thinkers such as (former member) Boudewijn Bouckaert, president of Nova Civitas, heavily criticised the party. Many others resent the priority it has placed on the 'Belgian compromise', enabling the Walloon socialist PS to gain a dominant position in the formulation of Belgian government policy. Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... Boudewijn Bouckaert is a Belgian liberal thinker and politician, adhering to more radical views than the vast majority of Flemish liberals. ... Nova Civitas is a Flemish thinktank based on the principles of classic liberalism in combination with Anglo-Saxon conservativism. ... The Parti Socialiste or PS of Belgium is a French-speaking social democratic political party. ...

In 2004 the VLD teamed up with the politically marginal social liberal Vivant party for the Flemish and European elections. VLD-Vivant lost the elections to arch rivals CD&V and Vlaams Blok. The VLD fell from second to third place among the Flemish political parties, slipping narrowly behind the SP.a-Spirit cartel. Internal feuds, the support for electoral rights for immigrants and an unsuccessful economic policy were seen as the main reasons for its election defeat. Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ... Vivant is a small Belgian social liberal party founded by millionaire Roland DuchÃ¢telet. ... Flanders (Dutch: ) has several main meanings: the social, cultural and linguistical, scientific and educational, economical and political community of the Flemings; some prefer to call this the Flemish community (others refer to this as the Flemish nation) which is, with over 6 million inhabitants, the majority of all Belgians; a... Sign in the entrance of the European Parliament building in Brussels, written in all the official languages used in the European Union as of July 2006 The European Parliament building in Strasbourg The debating chamber, or hemicycle, in Strasbourg The European Parliament building in Brussels The European Parliament (formerly European... Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a political party in Belgium, formerly called Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP) (Christian Peoples Party). ... Note that Flemish Block turned themselves into Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang) since their condamnation in 2004 The Flemish Block (Dutch: Vlaams Blok) was a Flemish far-right nationalist political party which rejects the state of Belgium, calling for political independence for the Flemish half of the country. ... Flanders (Dutch: ) has several main meanings: the social, cultural and linguistical, scientific and educational, economical and political community of the Flemings; some prefer to call this the Flemish community (others refer to this as the Flemish nation) which is, with over 6 million inhabitants, the majority of all Belgians; a... Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Belgian political parties-Flanders ...

On 19 June 2004 the VLD successfully negotiated a regional coalition government with CD&V/N-VA, the Christian democrats and moderate nationalists, and with the social democratic SP.a-Spirit. In a federal cabinet reshuffle in July of 2004, VLD chairman Karel De Gucht replaced Louis Michel (MR) as minister for Foreign Affairs. Former Flemish Minister-President Bart Somers is the new party chairman. June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a political party in Belgium, formerly called Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP) (Christian Peoples Party). ... The Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (New-Flemish Alliance) is a Belgian political party, founded in the autumn of 2001. ... Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Belgian political parties-Flanders ... Karel De Gucht (27 January 1954, Overmere) is a former chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), a Belgian political party. ... The Mouvement RÃ©formateur (MR) is a Belgian French-speaking liberal party, favoring a united Belgium. ... Bart Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen) is a Belgian, Flemish politician. ...

History

Before 1960, the Liberal Party of Belgium was barely organised. During the liberal party congress of 1961, the Liberal Party was reformed into the bilingual Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang/Parti de la Liberté et du Progrés (PVV/PLP), translated in English as "Party for Freedom and Progress", and Omer Vanaudenhove became the chairman of the new party. The new liberal party, which struggled with an anti-clerical image, opened its doors for believers, but wasn't too concerned about the situation of the employes and primarily defended the interests of employers. Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious (generally Catholic) institutional power and influence in all aspects of public and political life, and the encroachment of religion in the everyday life of the citizen. ...

In the late 1960s and the early 1970s, the tensions between the different communities in Belgium rose and there were disagreements within the liberal movement as well. In 1972, the unitary PVV/PLP was split up in a Flemish and a Francophone party. Willy De Clercq became the first chairman of the independent Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang (PVV), which is Dutch for "Party of Freedom and Progress". He, together with Frans Grootjans and Herman Vanderpoorten, set out the lines for the new party. This reform was coupled an Ethical Congress, on which the PVV adopted very progressive and tolerant stances regarding abortion, euthanasia, adultery, homosexuality and gender equality. The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Flanders (Dutch: ) has several main meanings: the social, cultural and linguistical, scientific and educational, economical and political community of the Flemings; some prefer to call this the Flemish community (others refer to this as the Flemish nation) which is, with over 6 million inhabitants, the majority of all Belgians; a... Look up Francophone in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Willy De Clercq (Ghent, 8 July 1927) is a Belgian liberal politician. ... Euthanasia (from Greek: ÎµÏ…Î¸Î±Î½Î±ÏƒÎ¯Î± -ÎµÏ…, eu, good, Î¸Î±Î½Î±Ï„Î¿Ï‚, thanatos, death) is the practice of terminating the life of a person or an animal because they are perceived as living an intolerable life, in a painless or minimally painful way either by lethal injection, drug overdose, or by the withdrawal of life support. ... Adultery is generally defined as consensual sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than his or her lawful spouse. ... Homosexuality refers to sexual and romantic attraction between two individuals of the same sex. ... Feminism is a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. ...

In 1982, the 29-year-old reformer Guy Verhofstadt became the chairman of the party, and even was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget from 1986 to 1988. Annemie Neyts succeeded him as chairman, becoming the first female party chairman. In 1989, Verhofstadt once more became the chairman of the PVV, after his party had been condemned to the opposition by the CVP in 1987. 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck is a Belgian politician, member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... CVP may stand for: Christelijke Volkspartij, former Belgian party, now renamed Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz, the Christian Democratic Peoples Party of Switzerland Central Valley Project, a California water project. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1992, the PVV was reformed into the Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or VLD under the impulse of Verhofstadt. Although the VLD was the successor of the PVV, many politicians with democratic nationalist or socialist roots joined the new party. Notable examples are Jaak Gabriëls, then president of the Volksunie, and Hugo Coveliers. From the early 1990s, the VLD advanced in every election, only to get in government following the 1999 general election when the VLD became the largest party. Guy Verhofstadt became Prime Minister and Patrick Dewael became Minister-President of Flanders. They were both at the head of a coalition of liberals, socialists and greens. 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Jaak GabriÃ«ls (born September 22, 1943) is a Flemish politician and member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Dutch: Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or VLD). ... Volksunie was a Belgian political party. ... Hugo Coveliers (born Schelle, 21 February 1947) is a Belgian politician. ... Germans dancing on the Berlin Wall in late 1989, the symbol of the cold war divide falls down as the world unites in the 1990s. ... The May 13, 1999 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... This is a list of Prime Ministers of Belgium, known regionally as: Premier Ministre in French, Eerste Minister in Dutch, and Premierminister in German. ... Patrick Dewael (born 13 October 1955, Lier), is a liberal Belgian politician. ... This is a list of Minister-Presidents (prime ministers) of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... Socialism is any economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled collectively or a political philosophy advocating such a system. ... Greens are people who support some or all of goals of a Green Party without necessarily working with or voting for that or any party. ...

Europe

The party is fairly pro-European, and holds three seats in the European Parliament, where it sits as a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) Group. Federal VLD prime minister Guy Verhofstadt was rejected as a candidate for the presidency of the European Commission in June of 2004. Sign in the entrance of the European Parliament building in Brussels, written in all the official languages used in the European Union as of July 2006 The European Parliament building in Strasbourg The debating chamber, or hemicycle, in Strasbourg The European Parliament building in Brussels The European Parliament (formerly European... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ... The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive body of the European Union. ...

Election results (1991-2006)

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives (Dutch: de Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French: la Chambre des ReprÃ©sentants) is one of the two chambers of the Belgian Federal Parliament. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Belgian Senate (Dutch: de Senaat, French: le SÃ©nat) is one of the two chambers of the Belgian Federal Parliament. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sign in the entrance of the European Parliament building in Brussels, written in all the official languages used in the European Union as of July 2006 The European Parliament building in Strasbourg The debating chamber, or hemicycle, in Strasbourg The European Parliament building in Brussels The European Parliament (formerly European... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

International

The party is a member of the Liberal International, which is co-chaired by Annemie Neyts, member of the VLD. Liberal International is a political international for international liberal parties. ... Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck is a Belgian politician, member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats. ...

Presidents

PVV Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ...

PVV (Flemish part) 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

VLD Willy De Clercq (Ghent, 8 July 1927) is a Belgian liberal politician. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Willy De Clercq (Ghent, 8 July 1927) is a Belgian liberal politician. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck is a Belgian politician, member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

reference: Zárate's Political Leaders (ZPC) Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Herman De Croo is the current sitting president of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, the lower house of the Belgian Federal Parliament. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Karel De Gucht (27 January 1954, Overmere) is a former chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), a Belgian political party. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dirk Sterckx Dirk Sterckx (born on 25 September 1946 in Herent) is a Belgian politician and Member of the European Parliament for Flanders with the Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten, Member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and sits on the European Parliaments Committee... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bart Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen) is a Belgian, Flemish politician. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notable members

Bart Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen) is a Belgian, Flemish politician. ... Guy Verhofstadt (helpÂ· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician and currently, the Prime Minister of Belgium. ... Karel De Gucht (27 January 1954, Overmere) is a former chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), a Belgian political party. ... Patrick Dewael (born 13 October 1955, Lier), is a liberal Belgian politician. ... Vincent Van Quickenborne (born August 1, 1973 in Ghent, Belgium) is a Belgian politician, as a member of the Belgian Liberal party, called the VLD. He has been Senator from 1999-2003, and is now Secretary of State (2003-) responsible for the simplification of the administration. ... In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. ... Dirk Van Mechelen (born August 27, 1957 in Kapellen) is the Flemish minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning. ... Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck is a Belgian politician, member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats. ... Liberal International is a political international for international liberal parties. ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party aisbl (founded 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ... Fons Borginon (born Lier, July 12, 1966) is a Belgian politician. ... ... The Belgian Federal Parliament is a bicameral parliament, it consists of two chambers. ... ... The Belgian Federal Parliament is a bicameral parliament, it consists of two chambers. ... ... The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: Vlaams Parlement, and formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the legislative power in Flanders, for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and a cultural and linguistic community of Belgium. ...

Notable Former members

Hugo Coveliers (born Schelle, 21 February 1947) is a Belgian politician. ... VLOTT (English:Flemisch Liberal Independent Tolerant Transparant) is a Belgian political party. ... Ward Beysen listen? was a Belgian politician who started his political career in the Flemish Liberal party, the PVV, which was renamed VLD. He was born on 26 June 1941 in Mortsel near Antwerp. ... Defunct (2002-2005) Belgian rightist liberal Flemish political party. ... Jean-Marie Dedecker (born Nieuwpoort, 13 June 1952) is a Belgian, Flemish politician of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD). ... Boudewijn Bouckaert is a Belgian liberal thinker and politician, adhering to more radical views than the vast majority of Flemish liberals. ...

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