1950 Belgian general election

General elections were held in Belgium on 4 June 1950.^[1] The result was a victory for the Christian Social Party, which won 108 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 54 of the 106 seats in the Senate.^[2] Voter turnout was 92.6%.^[3] This election was the last one in Belgian history where a single party achieved an absolute majority. Elections for the nine provincial councils were also held.

1950 Belgian general election

← 1949 4 June 1950 1954 →
212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
First party Second party Third party   Leader Jean Duvieusart Max Buset Roger Motz Party Christian Social Socialist Liberal Leader since Candidate for PM 1945 1945 Last election 105 seats, 43.55% 66 seats, 29.76% 29 seats, 15.25% Seats won 108 73 20 Seat change 3 7 9 Popular vote 2,356,608 1,705,781 556,102 Percentage 47.68% 34.51% 11.25% Swing 4.13% 4.76% 4.00%   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Edgard Lalmand N/A Party PVDA-PTB LSK Leader since 1943 N/A Last election 12 seats, 7.49% New Seats won 7 4 Seat change 5 New Popular vote 234,541 87,252 Percentage 4.75% 1.77% Swing 2.74% New
Chamber seat distribution by constituency
Government before election G. Eyskens I CVP/PSC-Lib Government after election Duvieusart Christian Social

The elections took place a few months after the divisive referendum on returning King Leopold III from exile and restoring his monarchial duties (the Royal Question). Following the election, a single-party Catholic government was formed with Jean Duvieusart as Prime Minister, who oversaw the return of King Leopold III, but who was quickly succeeded by Joseph Pholien as Prime Minister, following strikes and protests due to Leopold's return, which ultimately led to his abdication.

Results

Chamber of Deputies

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Christian Social Party	2,356,608	47.68	108	+3
	Belgian Socialist Party	1,705,781	34.51	73	+7
	Liberal Party	556,102	11.25	20	–9
	Communist Party of Belgium	234,541	4.75	7	–5
	Liberal–Socialist Kartels	87,252	1.77	4	+4
	Cosmocraten	1,535	0.03	0	0
	Belgian Patriotic Party	656	0.01	0	0
	Independents	332	0.01	0	0
Total		4,942,807	100.00	212	0
Valid votes		4,942,807	94.70
Invalid/blank votes		276,471	5.30
Total votes		5,219,278	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		5,635,452	92.62
Source: Belgian Elections

Senate

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Christian Social Party	2,210,712	47.19	54	0
	Belgian Socialist Party	1,631,368	34.82	37	+4
	Liberal Party	526,575	11.24	10	–4
	Communist Party of Belgium	229,093	4.89	3	–2
	Liberal–Socialist Kartels	86,801	1.85	2	+2
	Independents	262	0.01	0	0
Total		4,684,811	100.00	106	0
Valid votes		4,684,811	94.34
Invalid/blank votes		280,854	5.66
Total votes		4,965,665	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		5,635,452	88.11
Source: Belgian Elections

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p289 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, pp 309–311
3. Nohlen & Stöver, p291