Flemish Liberals and Democrats
Encyclopedia
commonly known as Open VLD and also simply as the VLD, is a Flemish
liberal political party in Belgium, created in 1992 from the former Party for Freedom and Progress
(PVV) and a few other politicians from other parties. The party led the government for three cabinets under Guy Verhofstadt
from 1999 until March 2008. VLD most recently formed the Federal Government (the so-called purple governments
from June 2003 through 2007 with the Flemish SP.a-Spirit cartel, the Francophone Socialist Party
(PS) and the Francophone Reformist Movement
(MR). In the Flemish Parliament
, the VLD formed a coalition government
with SP.a-Spirit and Christian Democratic and Flemish
(CD&V) from after the 2004 regional election
until the 2009 regional election
. VLD has been a member of the Leterme I Government
formed on 22 March 2008, the Van Rompuy I Government
formed on 2 January 2009, and the Leterme II Government
formed on 24 November 2009.
Ideologically, the VLD started as an economic liberal
, somewhat Thatcherite
party under its founder, Guy Verhofstadt
. The VLD rapidly became more centrist
and gave up much of its free market
approach, partly under the influence of Verhofstadt's political scientist brother Dirk Verhofstadt
. 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."
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 resented the priority it placed on the 'Belgian compromise', which enabled the French Community
Socialist Party to gain a dominant position in the formulation of Belgian federal government policy.
In 2004 the VLD teamed up with the minority liberal party Vivant
for both the Flemish and European elections. VLD-Vivant lost the elections to arch rivals CD&V and the Flemish Bloc
. 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.
On 19 June 2004 the VLD successfully negotiated a regional coalition government with CD&V and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the Christian Democrats and moderate nationalists, and with the social-democratic
SP.a-Spirit. In a federal cabinet reshuffle in July 2004, VLD chairman Karel De Gucht
replaced Louis Michel
(Reformist Movement) as minister for Foreign Affairs. Former Flemish Minister-President Bart Somers
is the new party chairman.
of Belgium was barely organised. The school pact of 1958, as a result of which the most important argument for the traditional anti-clericalism
was removed, gave the necessary impetus for a thorough renewal. During the liberal party congress of 1961, the Liberal Party was reformed into the bilingual Party for Freedom and Progress
(PVV-PLP), 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 employees and primarily defended the interests of employers.
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 into separate a Flemish
and a Francophone
parties. On Flemish side, under the guidance of Frans Grootjans
, Herman Vanderpoorten and Willy De Clercq
, the PVV was created, on Walloon side Milou Jeunehomme
became the head of the PLP and Brussels got its own but totally disintegrated liberal party landscape. Willy De Clercq became the first chairman of the independent Party of Freedom and Progress . De Clercq , 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
.
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 Christian People's Party (CVP) in 1987.
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
.
, the VLD participated in a cartel with Vivant
and Liberal Appeal. In February 2007, it decided to cease the cartel and start operating under the name Open Vld. In the 10 June 2007 general elections
, Open VLD won 18 out of 150 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 5 out of 40 seats in the Senate
.
, where it sits as a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
(ALDE) group. Then-current VLD prime minister Guy Verhofstadt was rejected as a candidate for the presidency of the European Commission
in June 2004.
, which is co-chaired by Annemie Neyts, member of the VLD.
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
liberal political party in Belgium, created in 1992 from the former Party for Freedom and Progress
Party for Freedom and Progress
The Party for Freedom and Progress was a liberal party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992 and was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in Flanders by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats and in Wallonia by the Parti Réformateur...
(PVV) and a few other politicians from other parties. The party led the government for three cabinets under Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
from 1999 until March 2008. VLD most recently formed the Federal Government (the so-called purple governments
Purple (government)
Purple is a common term in politics for governments or other political entities consisting of parties that have red and blue as their political colours...
from June 2003 through 2007 with the Flemish SP.a-Spirit cartel, the Francophone Socialist Party
Socialist Party (francophone Belgium)
The Socialist Party is a Francophone social-democratic political party in Belgium. As of the 2010 elections, it is the second largest party in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and the largest Francophone party...
(PS) and the Francophone Reformist Movement
Reformist Movement
The Reformist Movement is a French-speaking liberal political party in Belgium. The party was in coalition as part of the Leterme II Government, and was also part of the governing coalition in the Walloon Region and Brussels-Capital Region until the 2004 regional elections...
(MR). In the Flemish Parliament
Flemish Parliament
The Flemish Parliament constitutes the legislative power in Flanders, for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and a cultural community of Belgium The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: , and formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the...
, the VLD formed a coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
with SP.a-Spirit and Christian Democratic and Flemish
Christian Democratic and Flemish
The Christian Democratic and Flemish is a political party of Belgium, formerly called Christian People's Party...
(CD&V) from after the 2004 regional election
Belgian regional elections, 2004
On June 13, 2004, regional elections were held in Belgium, to choose representatives in the regional councils of the Flemish Parliament, the Walloon Parliament, the Brussels Parliament and the German-speaking Community of Belgium...
until the 2009 regional election
Belgian regional elections, 2009
Regional elections were held in Belgium on 7 June 2009 to choose representatives in the regional councils of Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the German-speaking Community of Belgium...
. VLD has been a member of the Leterme I Government
Leterme I Government
The Leterme I Government was the federal government of Belgium from 20 March 2008 to 22 December 2008. It took office when the Flemish Christian democrat Yves Leterme was sworn in as Prime Minister...
formed on 22 March 2008, the Van Rompuy I Government
Van Rompuy I Government
The Van Rompuy I Government was the federal government of Belgium from 30 December 2008 until 15 November 2009. Herman Van Rompuy was nominated as the first President of the European Council and resigned shortly after as Premier...
formed on 2 January 2009, and the Leterme II Government
Leterme II Government
The Leterme II Government was the federal government of Belgium from 24 November 2009 to 26 April 2010. it is still the caretaker government. It took office when the Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme was sworn in as Prime Minister. It followed the Van Rompuy I Government which ended...
formed on 24 November 2009.
Ideologically, the VLD started as an economic liberal
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
, somewhat Thatcherite
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
party under its founder, Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
. The VLD rapidly became more centrist
Centrism
In politics, centrism is the ideal or the practice of promoting policies that lie different from the standard political left and political right. Most commonly, this is visualized as part of the one-dimensional political spectrum of left-right politics, with centrism landing in the middle between...
and gave up much of its free market
Free market
A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts...
approach, partly under the influence of Verhofstadt's political scientist brother Dirk Verhofstadt
Dirk Verhofstadt
Dirk Verhofstadt is a Belgian social liberal theorist and brother of former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt. He has a keen interest in political philosophy, and his philosophical outlook is influenced by Karl Popper, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Paine, Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum...
. Party chairman Bart Somers
Bart Somers
Bartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen...
called in November 2006 for a "revolution" within the party, saying that "a liberal party," like the VLD, "can only be progressive and social."
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
Boudewijn Bouckaert
Boudewijn Bouckaert is a Belgian law professor, a member of the Flemish Movement, and a libertarian conservative thinker and politician. He chairs the academic board of the LIB-ERA! think tank and serves as Member of the Flemish Parliament for the liberal party List Dedecker...
, president of Nova Civitas
Nova Civitas
Nova Civitas was a Flemish think tank based on the principles of classic liberalism in combination with Anglo-Saxon conservatism. Nova Civitas claimed at its founding to be completely independent, although it was recognized and supported by the Flemish Liberal Party...
, heavily criticised the party. Many others resented the priority it placed on the 'Belgian compromise', which enabled the French Community
French Community of Belgium
The French Community of Belgium is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. Although its name could suggest that it is a community of French citizens in Belgium, it is not...
Socialist Party to gain a dominant position in the formulation of Belgian federal government policy.
In 2004 the VLD teamed up with the minority liberal party Vivant
Vivant
Vivant is a small Belgian social liberal party founded by millionaire Roland Duchâtelet. In the regional elections in June 2004, the party formed a strategic alliance with the Flemish Liberals and Democrats . Both parties are founded on the principle of individualism and can be called liberal...
for both the Flemish and European elections. VLD-Vivant lost the elections to arch rivals CD&V and the Flemish Bloc
Vlaams Blok
The Vlaams Blok was a Belgian far-right and secessionist political party with an anti-immigration platform. Its ideologies embraced Flemish nationalism, calling for the independence of Flanders. From its creation in 1978, it was the most notable militant right wing of the Flemish movement. Vlaams...
. 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.
On 19 June 2004 the VLD successfully negotiated a regional coalition government with CD&V and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the Christian Democrats and moderate nationalists, and with the social-democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
SP.a-Spirit. In a federal cabinet reshuffle in July 2004, VLD chairman Karel De Gucht
Karel De Gucht
Karel Lodewijk Georgette Emmerence De Gucht is a Belgian politician who has been the European Commissioner for Trade since 2010...
replaced Louis Michel
Louis Michel
Louis H. O. Ch. Michel is a Belgian politician. He served in the government of Belgium as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2004 and was European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid from 2004 to 2009. Since 2009, he has been a Member of the European Parliament...
(Reformist Movement) as minister for Foreign Affairs. Former Flemish Minister-President Bart Somers
Bart Somers
Bartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen...
is the new party chairman.
History
As such the liberal party is the oldest political party of Belgium. In 1846, Walthère Frère-Orban succeeded in creating a political program which could unite several liberal groups into one party. Before 1960, the Liberal PartyLiberal Party (Belgium)
The Liberal Party was a Belgian political party that existed from 1846 until 1961, when it became the Party for Freedom and Progress, Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang/Parti de la Liberté et du Progrès or PVV-PLP, under the leadership of Omer Vanaudenhove.-History:The Liberal Party was founded...
of Belgium was barely organised. The school pact of 1958, as a result of which the most important argument for the traditional anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious institutional power and influence, real or alleged, in all aspects of public and political life, and the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen...
was removed, gave the necessary impetus for a thorough renewal. During the liberal party congress of 1961, the Liberal Party was reformed into the bilingual Party for Freedom and Progress
Party for Freedom and Progress
The Party for Freedom and Progress was a liberal party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992 and was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in Flanders by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats and in Wallonia by the Parti Réformateur...
(PVV-PLP), and Omer Vanaudenhove
Omer Vanaudenhove
Omer Rudolphe Jean, Viscount Vanaudenhove was a Belgian liberal politician, burgomaster and minister. A businessman, Vanaudenhove was an owner of a shoe factory...
became the chairman of the new party. The new liberal party, which struggled with an anti-clerical
Anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious institutional power and influence, real or alleged, in all aspects of public and political life, and the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen...
image, opened its doors for believers, but wasn't too concerned about the situation of the employees and primarily defended the interests of employers.
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 into separate a Flemish
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
and a Francophone
French Community of Belgium
The French Community of Belgium is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. Although its name could suggest that it is a community of French citizens in Belgium, it is not...
parties. On Flemish side, under the guidance of Frans Grootjans
Frans Grootjans
Frans Edward Elisabeth Grootjans , was a Belgian politician and minister for the PVV.Grootjans was born at Wilrijk. He became a licentiate in the trade and consular sciences and was chief editor and director of the newspaper De Nieuwe Gazet...
, Herman Vanderpoorten and Willy De Clercq
Willy De Clercq
Willy Clarisse Elvire Hector, Viscount De Clercq was a Belgian liberal politician.De Clercq was born in Ghent...
, the PVV was created, on Walloon side Milou Jeunehomme
Milou Jeunehomme
Emile-Edgar Jeunehomme was a Belgian liberal politician.On 15 January 1958 he became a member of parliament for the district Liege. He played for a long time an important role in the liberal party under Omer Vanaudenhove but gradually withdrew himself from politics after 1969...
became the head of the PLP and Brussels got its own but totally disintegrated liberal party landscape. Willy De Clercq became the first chairman of the independent Party of Freedom and Progress . De Clercq , 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
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, adultery
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
, homosexuality and gender equality
Gender equality
Gender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
.
In 1982, the 29-year-old reformer Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
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 Christian People's Party (CVP) in 1987.
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
Jaak Gabriëls
Petrus Josephus Jacobus "Jaak" Gabriëls is a Belgian politician and member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats . He graduated in 1965 at the Catholic University of Leuven as Master of Philosophy and Arts. He started his political career as a Provincial Councillor for Limburg from 1974 to 1977...
, then president of the Volksunie, and Hugo Coveliers
Hugo Coveliers
Hugo F.V. Coveliers is a Belgian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives between 1985 and 1995 and from 1993 to 2003. Since 2003 he has been a member of the Belgian Senate...
. From the early 1990s, the VLD advanced in every election, only to get in government following the 1999 general election
Belgian general election, 1999
The June 13, 1999 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate. The federal general elections were held on the same day as the European elections and the regional elections. The Flemish Liberals and Democrats won the elections.The...
when the VLD became the largest party. Guy Verhofstadt became Prime Minister and Patrick Dewael
Patrick Dewael
Patrick Yvonne Hugo Dewael, in Lier, Belgium is a liberal Belgian politician. He is a member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats, or Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten . He is the nephew of the late liberal minister Herman Vanderpoorten and the cousin of Marleen Vanderpoorten, who also served as...
became Minister-President of Flanders. They were both at the head of a coalition of liberals, socialists and greens
Green politics
Green politics is a political ideology that aims for the creation of an ecologically sustainable society rooted in environmentalism, social liberalism, and grassroots democracy...
.
2007 elections
Before the 2007 electionsBelgian general election, 2007
The 2007 Belgian general election took place on Sunday 10 June 2007. Voters went to the polls in order to elect new members for the Chamber of Representatives and Senate.Eligible voters were Belgian citizens 18 years and older...
, the VLD participated in a cartel with Vivant
Vivant
Vivant is a small Belgian social liberal party founded by millionaire Roland Duchâtelet. In the regional elections in June 2004, the party formed a strategic alliance with the Flemish Liberals and Democrats . Both parties are founded on the principle of individualism and can be called liberal...
and Liberal Appeal. In February 2007, it decided to cease the cartel and start operating under the name Open Vld. In the 10 June 2007 general elections
Belgian general election, 2007
The 2007 Belgian general election took place on Sunday 10 June 2007. Voters went to the polls in order to elect new members for the Chamber of Representatives and Senate.Eligible voters were Belgian citizens 18 years and older...
, Open VLD won 18 out of 150 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 5 out of 40 seats in the Senate
Belgian Senate
The Belgian Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Chamber of Representatives. It is considered to be the "upper house" of the Federal Parliament.-History and future:...
.
Europe
The party is fairly pro-European, and holds three seats in the European ParliamentEuropean Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, where it sits as a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
The Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is the current liberal/centrist political group of the European Parliament...
(ALDE) group. Then-current VLD prime minister Guy Verhofstadt was rejected as a candidate for the presidency of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
in June 2004.
Election results (1991–2010)
Chamber of Representatives
| Election year | # of total votes | % of overall vote | # of seats won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 798,363 | 13.1% | 21 |
| 1999 | 888,973 | 14.3% | 23 |
| 2003 | 1,009,223 | 15.4% | 25 |
| 2007 | 789,445 | 11.8% | 18 |
| 2010 | 563,873 | 8,6% | 13 |
| Election year | # of Dutch constituency votes | % of Dutch constituency vote | # of seats won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 796,154 | 21.2% | 6 |
| 1999 | 952,116 | 24.6% | 6 |
| 2003 | 1,007,868 | 24.7% | 7 |
| 2007 | 821,980 | 20.1% | 5 |
| 2010 | 533.124 | 13.3% | 4 |
| Election year | # of Dutch constituency votes | % of Dutch constituency vote | # of seats won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 678,421 | 18.4% | 3 |
| 1999 | 847,099 | 21.9% | 3 |
| 2004 | 880,279 | 21.9% | 3 |
| 2009 | 837,834 | 20.6% | 3 |
International
The party is a member of the Liberal InternationalLiberal International
Liberal International is a political international federation for liberal parties. Its headquarters is located at 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD within the National Liberal Club. It was founded in Oxford in 1947, and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the...
, which is co-chaired by Annemie Neyts, member of the VLD.
Liberal Party
- Albert MechelynckAlbert MechelynckAlbert Josse Louis Mechelynck was a Belgian liberal politician. He was a son of Louis Mechelynck and Pauline Delehaye, daughter of the former mayor of Ghent, Judocus Delehaye...
1920–1921 - Edouard PecherEdouard PécherEdouard Gustave Charles Marie Pécher was a Belgian lawyer and liberal politician. He was president of the Liberal Party from 1921 until 1926....
1924–1926 - Albert DevèzeAlbert DevèzeAlbert Joseph Charles Devèze was a Belgian liberal politician and minister. Devèze was a doctor in law and a lawyer. He was a liberal municipality Council member in Schaerbeek and in Ixelles and a member of parliament for the district of Brussels and for the district of Verviers...
1927–1933 - Octave DierckxOctave DierckxOctave Victor Anna Dierckx was a Belgian liberal and politician. Dierckx was a doctor in law and a lawyer.-Political career:* municipality Council member in Elsene* 1929 - 1955: senator...
1933–1934 - Léon DensLéon DensLéon Pierre Alphonse Dens was a Belgian liberal politician and shipowner.-Political career:* 1925–1940: senator for the district Antwerp* 1931–1932: minister of defense...
1935–1936 - Victor de LaveleyeVictor de LaveleyeVictor Auguste de Laveleye was a Belgian liberal politician and minister. De Laveleye was a doctor in law. He was municipality Council member of Sint-Gillis, President of the Liberal Party and Liberal member of parliament for the district Brussels...
1936–1937 - Emile CoulonvauxEmile CoulonvauxEmile Maurice Léon Coulonvaux was a Belgian liberal lawyer and politician. Coulonvaux was doctor in law and a lawyer. He became an alderman in Dinant and was also liberal senator and President of the Liberal Party in 1937-1940.-Source:*...
1937–1940 - Jane BrigodeJane BrigodeJane Brittle was a Belgian liberal and politician. From 1940 until 1945 she was co-president of the Liberal Party...
and Fernand DemetsFernand DemetsFernand Charles Gustave Demets was a Belgian liberal politician, burgomaster and minister. Demets was industrialist and became municipality Council member and burgomaster in Anderlecht and liberal senator in the district Brussels. Demets was co-president of the Liberal Party...
(co-presidents) 1940–1945 - Roger MotzRoger MotzRoger Jean Henri Motz was a Belgian liberal and politician. Motz was a mine-engineer and governor of companies...
1945–1953 - Henri LiebaertHenri LiebaertHenri Marcel Hector Liebaert was a Belgian liberal politician and minister. Liebaert was an industrialist and editor of the French-speaking Flemish daily La Flandre Libéral. He was a member of parliament and senator and President of the Liberal Party...
1953–1954 - Maurice DestenayMaurice DestenayMaurice Jean Léon Destenay was a Belgian liberal politician and burgomaster. Destenay was a teacher and pedagogue and became the founder and director of the monthly magazine Action Libérale. He became alderman and burgomaster in Liege and a member of parliament in the district of Liege...
1954–1958 - Roger MotzRoger MotzRoger Jean Henri Motz was a Belgian liberal and politician. Motz was a mine-engineer and governor of companies...
1958–1961
PVV/PLP
- Omer VanaudenhoveOmer VanaudenhoveOmer Rudolphe Jean, Viscount Vanaudenhove was a Belgian liberal politician, burgomaster and minister. A businessman, Vanaudenhove was an owner of a shoe factory...
1961–1968 - Norbert HougardyNorbert HougardyNorbert Isidore Joseph Hougardy was a Belgian liberal politician. Hougardy was a commercial director and municipality Council member in Sint-Genesius-Rode. He became senator for the PVV and also a member of the European Parliament. Together with Milou Jeunehomme he was President of the PVV-PLP...
and Milou JeunehommeMilou JeunehommeEmile-Edgar Jeunehomme was a Belgian liberal politician.On 15 January 1958 he became a member of parliament for the district Liege. He played for a long time an important role in the liberal party under Omer Vanaudenhove but gradually withdrew himself from politics after 1969...
(co-presidents) 1968–1969 - Pierre DescampsPierre DescampsPierre Paul Louis Albert César Descamps was a Belgian politician and burgomaster for the PLP. Descamps was a licentiate in philosophy and literature and an industrialist. He was burgomaster of Aubechies and Belœil and senator for the PLP. Descamps was President of the PVV-PLP in 1969-1972.-Source:*...
1969–1972
PVV
- Willy De ClercqWilly De ClercqWilly Clarisse Elvire Hector, Viscount De Clercq was a Belgian liberal politician.De Clercq was born in Ghent...
1972–1973 - Frans GrootjansFrans GrootjansFrans Edward Elisabeth Grootjans , was a Belgian politician and minister for the PVV.Grootjans was born at Wilrijk. He became a licentiate in the trade and consular sciences and was chief editor and director of the newspaper De Nieuwe Gazet...
1973–1977 - Willy De ClercqWilly De ClercqWilly Clarisse Elvire Hector, Viscount De Clercq was a Belgian liberal politician.De Clercq was born in Ghent...
1977–1982 - Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
1982–1985 - Annemie Neyts 1985–1989
- Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
1989–1992
VLD
- Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
1992–1995 - Herman De CrooHerman De CrooHerman Francies Joseph De Croo is a Belgian liberal politician. He is a member of the Open VLD. He is the father of current Open VLD chairman Alexander De Croo....
1995–1997 - Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
1997–1999 - Karel De GuchtKarel De GuchtKarel Lodewijk Georgette Emmerence De Gucht is a Belgian politician who has been the European Commissioner for Trade since 2010...
1999–2004 - Dirk SterckxDirk SterckxDirk Jozef Maria Sterckx , born on 25 September 1946 in Herent,is a Belgian politician andMember of the European Parliament for Flanderswith the Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten,...
2004 - Bart SomersBart SomersBartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen...
2004–2009 - Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
2009 - Alexander De CrooAlexander De CrooAlexander De Croo is a Flemish liberal politician, economist and businessman. He was elected chairman of his political party on 12 December 2009.- Biography :...
2009–present
Notable members
- Annemie Neyts, former party leader, chairwoman of the Liberal InternationalLiberal InternationalLiberal International is a political international federation for liberal parties. Its headquarters is located at 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD within the National Liberal Club. It was founded in Oxford in 1947, and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the...
and current party leader of the ELDR - Bart SomersBart SomersBartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen...
, former minister-president of Flanders and former party leader - Fientje MoermanFientje MoermanJoséphine Rebecca Marie Julienne Bertha "Fientje" Moerman is a Belgian liberal politician.-Education:In 1981 Fientje Moerman obtained a Master degree in law. She studied law at the University of Ghent and at Harvard University .-Professional career:She started her career as a lawyer in New York...
, former vice-minister-president of Flanders - Dirk Van MechelenDirk Van MechelenDirk Louis Maria Van Mechelen is the Flemish minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning. He is a member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats.-Education:...
, former Flemish Minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning - Fons BorginonFons BorginonAlfons "Fons" Borginon is a Belgian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives between 1995 and 2007. Borginon was the last chairman of the Volksunie and Flemish Liberals and Democrats floor leader from 2006 until the general election of 2007. He was also...
, former VLD floor leaderFloor LeaderFloor Leaders are leaders of their political parties in each of the houses of the legislature.- Senate :In the United States Senate, they are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and...
in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives - Guy VanhengelGuy VanhengelGuy Vanhengel is a Flemish-Brussels politician for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats .Vanhengel graduated as a teacher and taught class until 1981. After his army service he started working as a spokesperson to the then secretary of state Annemie Neyts...
, Minister of Finance - Guy VerhofstadtGuy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
, former party leader and former prime minister - Karel De GuchtKarel De GuchtKarel Lodewijk Georgette Emmerence De Gucht is a Belgian politician who has been the European Commissioner for Trade since 2010...
, former party leader and former Minister of Foreign Affairs - Karel PomaKarel PomaKarel Emiel Hubert, Baron Poma is a Belgian liberal and politician for the PVV. He is a son of Carolus Poma, who was a lieutenant of the Antwerp fire brigade, and subsequently council member and mayor of the town Wilrijk. He is married to Juliana Walgraeve, and together they have two children; a...
, former minister and member of parliament - Marc VerwilghenMarc VerwilghenMarc Ernest Elisabeth Robert Juliette Verwilghen, born 21 September 1952 in Dendermonde, is a Belgian politician.Verwilghen studied law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the University of Ghent and is the holder of an honorary doctorate from Ghent....
, former minister of the Economy, Trade, Science and Energy - Margriet HermansMargriet HermansMargriet Hermans is a Belgian politician and a member of the Open VLD. She was elected as a member of the Belgian Senate in 2007.-Notes:...
member of the Flemish Parliament and senator - Marino KeulenMarino KeulenMarino Ghislainus Keulen is a Flemish politician and member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party. He is a representative in the Flemish Parliament, and served in the Flemish Government of 2004-2009 as Minister of Home Affairs, Urban Policy, Housing and Civic Integration...
, former Flemish Minister of Integration - Patricia CeysensPatricia CeysensPatricia Ceysens is a Flemish politician and member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party, being the vice-chairman of the party. She served in the Flemish Government of 2004-2009 as Minister of Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade...
, former Flemish Minister of the Economy and former VLD floor leader in the Flemish ParliamentFlemish ParliamentThe Flemish Parliament constitutes the legislative power in Flanders, for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and a cultural community of Belgium The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: , and formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the... - Patrick DewaelPatrick DewaelPatrick Yvonne Hugo Dewael, in Lier, Belgium is a liberal Belgian politician. He is a member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats, or Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten . He is the nephew of the late liberal minister Herman Vanderpoorten and the cousin of Marleen Vanderpoorten, who also served as...
, former minister-president of Flanders and former Minister of Internal Affairs - Bart Tommelein, VLD floor leader in the Belgian Senate
- Vincent Van QuickenborneVincent Van QuickenborneVincent Paul Marie Van Quickenborne is a Belgian politician, as a member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party....
, minister of economy, also responsible for the simplification of the administration
Notable former members
This section also mentions members of the liberal political party before the foundation of the VLD:- Boudewijn BouckaertBoudewijn BouckaertBoudewijn Bouckaert is a Belgian law professor, a member of the Flemish Movement, and a libertarian conservative thinker and politician. He chairs the academic board of the LIB-ERA! think tank and serves as Member of the Flemish Parliament for the liberal party List Dedecker...
, a former VLD board member who left the party subsequently to Dedecker's exclusion, believing the party turned "left-liberal". He and Dedecker are founders of a new political party, Lijst Dedecker. - Eugène DefacqzEugène DefacqzHenri-Eugene-Marie Defacqz was a Belgian liberal politician and a magistrate.-Education:He started his education at the college of Ath and completed high school in Dijon, under the direction of the famous Joseph Jacotot , his uncle by marriage...
(1797–1871) one of the founders of the liberal party of the 19th century - Herman TeirlinckHerman TeirlinckHerman Louis Cesar Teirlinck Herman Louis Cesar Teirlinck Herman Louis Cesar Teirlinck (Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, 24 February 1879- Beersel-Lot, 4 February 1967, was a Belgian writer. He was the fifth child and only son of Isidoor Teirlinck and Oda van Nieuwenhove, who were both teachers in Brussels...
(1879–1967), a famous Belgian writer. - Hugo CoveliersHugo CoveliersHugo F.V. Coveliers is a Belgian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives between 1985 and 1995 and from 1993 to 2003. Since 2003 he has been a member of the Belgian Senate...
, left the VLD to found his own political party VLOTTVLOTTVLOTT is a Belgian right-wing liberal or fortuynist political party. The acronym VLOTT stands for Flemish Liberal Independent Tolerant and Transparent . It was founded on November 23, 2005 by ex-Flemish Liberals and Democrats member Hugo Coveliers...
. - Jean-Marie DedeckerJean-Marie DedeckerJean-Marie Louis Dedecker is a Belgian Flemish politician.In 1999 and 2003, Dedecker was directly elected to the Belgian Senate. In 2004 Dedecker ran for a seat in the Flemish Parliament, after taking his seat in the Flemish Parliament, Dedecker was elected by his colleagues as a community senator...
, was excluded from the VLD after several conflicts with the top of the party. He asked for an economic policy more in favour of free markets and limited government and believed that the party was too closely aligned with the Socialists. He founded the Lijst Dedecker party. - Julius Hoste Jr.Julius Hoste Jr.Julius Hoste Jr. , was a Belgian businessman and liberal politician.He went to highschool at the Koninklijk Atheneum of Brussels. In 1902 he started at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles , where he obtained a law degree in 1907. Already as a student he had become interested in the Flemish movement,...
(1884–1954), businessman and leading Flemish liberal politician. - Leo Govaerts, left the VLD to found his own political party Veilig Blauw (Safe Blue).
- Louis FranckLouis FranckThis article is about Louis Franck the lawyer and not about Louis Franck the frontman of Esthetic Education.Louis Marie François Franck was a Belgian lawyer, liberal politician and statesman.-Education:...
(1868–1937), a leading Flemish liberal politician. - Walthère Frère-Orban, (1812–1896), wrote the first charter of the liberal party.
- Ward BeysenWard BeysenEduard Marie August "Ward" Beysen was a Belgian politician and well-known freemason. He held a degree in Dutch and history teaching, obtained in 1963 in Lier and started his political career in the seventies in the Flemish liberal party, the Party for Freedom and Progress , which was renamed...
, left the VLD to found his own political party Liberaal AppèlLiberaal AppèlThe Liberal Appeal is a Flemish right-liberal political party.Founded on March 22, 2002 by the liberal MEP Ward Beysen as a secession of the VLD, mostly in Antwerp. The Liberaal Appèl was first a movement, then became a full-fledged political party on January 20, 2003...
.
See also
- Contributions to liberal theoryContributions to liberal theoryIndividual contributors to classical liberalism and political liberalism are associated with philosophers of the Enlightenment. Liberalism as a specifically named ideology begins in the late 18th century as a movement towards self-government and away from aristocracy...
- Liberaal Vlaams VerbondLiberaal Vlaams VerbondThe Liberaal Vlaams Verbond was founded in 1913. From its origin it wanted to promote the Flemish cause and drew attention to social matters, within the Belgian Liberal Party...
(LVV) - Liberal ArchiveLiberal Archive (Belgium)The Liberal Archive , located in Ghent, is the central archive of the Belgian liberal organizations, such as the liberal party , the Willemsfonds, the Liberaal Vlaams Verbond and the liberal young guards/Pvv-Jongeren.The Liberal Archive was founded in Ghent in 1982 and was recognised by the Flemish...
- Liberal democracyLiberal democracyLiberal democracy, also known as constitutional democracy, is a common form of representative democracy. According to the principles of liberal democracy, elections should be free and fair, and the political process should be competitive...
- LiberalesLiberalesLiberales is an independent liberal thinktank , located in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium. The organization promotes progressive liberalism and supports individual freedom, justice, a certain degree of self-government and human rights. It also supports responsibility, civil liberties, and solidarity...
- Liberalism
- Liberalism in BelgiumLiberalism in BelgiumThis article gives an overview of liberalism in Belgium. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in that scheme...
- Liberalism worldwideLiberalism worldwideThis article gives information on liberalism in diverse countries around the world. It is an overview of parties that adhere more or less to the ideas of political liberalism and is therefore a list of liberal parties around the world....
- List of liberal parties
External links
- Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) official site