History
The history of the CD&V dates back to the 19th century. It originated in the 19th century catholic party, or 'parti conservateur' (conservative party). At the end of the century, the new fraction of the so-called Christian-democrats shifted the focus of the party slightly to the left. In the interwar years the party was renamed Catholic Block. Then, the Christian Social Party (PSC-CVP) existed from 1945 until 1968. In 1968, the PSC-CVP was split into to the (French-speaking) PSC (now Humanist Democratic Centre) and (Flemish) CVP. In 2001 the CVP became the CD&V.
The party was almost continually in power from its establishment until 1999, with the exception of 1954-1958. In 1999, the liberal VLD became the largest party in Belgium, and formed a majority of liberals, socialists and ecologists. The same happened in the Flemish Government, but with the addition of Flemish nationalists. In 2003 CD&V again lost the federal elections which continuated the federal center-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 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 Chambre 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 most important Flemish party in the European Parliament.
In 2010, the Open Vld decided to step out of the federal coalition and 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 I Government was formed, with the CD&V as the largest Flemish party.
During the local elections in 2012, CD&V managed to remain the most important 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.
Read more about this topic: Christen-Democratisch En Vlaams
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