Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) (Christian Democratic and Flemish) is a political party in Belgium, formerly called Christelijke Volkspartij (CVP) (Christian People's Party). It is a centre-right Flemish Christian Democratic party. It was in power until 1999. As of 2003 it has been led by Yves Leterme, and before that was led by Stefaan De Clerck. 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 nationalistic Vlaams Blok, which in 2004 was sentenced by a judge to be racist.

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.

External link

• Official website