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'Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V)' (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a Belgian political party, formerly called ''Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP)'' (Christian People's Party). It is a centrist Flemish, Christian Democratic party, with historic ties to both labour unionism (ACV) and corporative organization as Unizo and the Farmer's League.
As of the 2007 elections, it forms the largest political formation in Belgium, with its cartel partner N-VA.

Contents

History

Presidents

References

External link

History

The party was almost continually in power from its establishment until 1999. From 2003 it has been led by Yves Leterme, and before that was led by Stefaan De Clerck. Now it is led by Jo Vandeurzen. Despite its optimistic predictions, it came third in the 2003 elections, coming behind the liberal VLD and the socialist SP.A-Spirit cartel. Much of its predominantly rural support was taken by the nationalist Vlaams Blok.
CD&V led the opposition to VLD prime minister Guy Verhofstadt who had formed a center-left coalition between liberals, socialists and greens in 1999 on the federal and Flemish government level. In 2003 CD&V again lost the federal elections which continuated the federal center-left coalition, but this time without the Greens. On june 13 2004 Flemish elections were held alongside European elections. CD&V led by Yves Leterme won these elections, partly by forming a cartel with the moderate nationalist N-VA party, and retook its historic position as largest party in Flanders. On the 20th of July 2004 Yves Leterme presented the new Flemish government and was sworn into office as the new Minister-President of Flanders. He negotiated a coalition of VLD, SP.A-Spirit and CD&V/N-VA.
Although unwilling to clearly state his position as aspiring prime minister of Belgium, Leterme led the Senate list for the CD&V/N-VA cartel in the 2007 elections. Having become the largest political formation as a result of these elections, the CD&V is looked at to lead the coming coalition talks, although Didier Reynders (MR) has been appointed as ''informateur''.

Presidents

★ 1945-1947 Gilbert Mullie

★ 1947-1949 Paul Willem Segers

★ 1949-1959 Jef De Schuyffeleer

★ 1959-1961 Fred Bertrand

★ 1961-1963 Jozef (Jos) De Saeger

★ 1963-1972 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

★ 1999-2003 Stefaan De Clerck

★ 2003-2004 Yves Leterme

★ 2004-current Jo Vandeurzen
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.
source: www.terra.es

References

External link

★ Official website