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Sociaal-Liberale Partij

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Sociaal-Liberale Partij
LeaderGeert Lambert
Founded2001 (2001) (as Spirit)
Dissolved2009 (2009)
Split fromPeople's Union
Merged intoGroen
HeadquartersNational secretariat
Woeringenstraat 21 Brussels
IdeologySocial liberalism[1]
Green liberalism
Social democracy
Flemish regionalism[1]
Political positionCentre to centre-left
European affiliationEuropean Free Alliance
Website
www.s-lp.be

Sociaal-Liberale Partij (Dutch pronunciation: [soːˈɕaːlibəˌralə pɑrˈtɛi] , abbr. SLP; Dutch for Social Liberal Party) was a Belgian Flemish political party formed after dissolution of the moderate nationalist People's Union (Volksunie) party. Prior to 19 April 2008 it was known as Spirit, and intermediately as Flemish Progressives (VlaamsProgressieven).[2] The party merged with Groen in the end of 2009, ceasing to exist.[3]

History

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The People's Union split up into two parties, the social liberal Spirit and the centre-right New-Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which formed an electoral alliance with the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) party. The formation of the alliances was seen as a way in which Spirit and N-VA could guarantee their influence and position in Flemish and Belgian politics. This led the liberal wing to initially opt for an Alliance with Flemish Liberals and Democrats.

Abbreviation

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Spirit was the abbreviation for

  • Sociaal (Social)
  • Progressief (Progressive)
  • Internationaal (International)
  • Regionalistisch (Regional)
  • Integraal-democratisch (Completely democratic)
  • Toekomstgericht (Future oriented)

2007 elections

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In the 10 June 2007 general elections, the Social Liberal party was in an electoral alliance with Socialist Party Different (sp.a) and won 14 out of 88 Flemish seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 4 out of 40 Flemish seats in the Senate.

In the autumn of 2008, following a scandal causing its leader, Bettina Geysen to step down, the Social Liberal Party ended its cooperation with SP.A. Geert Lambert was elected the new leader. Many prominent party members, including cofounder Bert Anciaux, left the party.[4]

See also

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  • - The youth organization of Vl.Pro

References

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  1. ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2009). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013.
  2. ^ "European Free Alliance". E-f-a.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ^ Auteur: loa, sdg (2009-12-19). "SLP fuseert met Groen! - De Standaard". Standaard.be. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  4. ^ "Ook Bert Anciaux stapt uit VlaamsProgressieven". deredactie.be. 4 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06.
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