Vooruit (political party)

For the historic complex with the same name, see Vooruit.

Vooruit (pronounced [voːrˈœyt] ^ⓘ; Dutch for Onward) is a Flemish social democratic^{[3][4][5][6][7]} political party in Belgium. It was known as the (Flemish) Socialist Party^[8][9][10] (1978–2001: Socialistische Partij, SP; 2001–2021: Socialistische Partij Anders,^[a] SP.A) until 21 March 2021, when its current name was adopted.^[11]

Onward Vooruit
President	Conner Rousseau
Founded	1978; 46 years ago (1978)
Preceded by	Belgian Socialist Party
Headquarters	Keizerslaan 13, Brussels
Youth wing	Jongsocialisten
Membership (2014)	49,703[1][2]
Ideology	Social democracy
Political position	Centre-left
European affiliation	Party of European Socialists
European Parliament group	Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
International affiliation	Progressive Alliance
Francophone counterpart	Socialist Party
Colours	Red
Chamber of Representatives	13 / 87 (Flemish seats)
Senate	4 / 35 (Flemish seats)
Flemish Parliament	18 / 124
Brussels Parliament	2 / 17 (Flemish seats)
European Parliament	2 / 12 (Flemish seats)
Flemish Provincial Councils	18 / 175
Website
vooruit.org
Politics of Belgium Political parties Elections Formerly Socialist Party Socialistische Partij (1978–2001) Socialist Party Differently Socialistische Partij Anders (2001–2021)

The party was founded following the linguistic split of the unitary Belgian Socialist Party in 1978, which also produced the Francophone Socialist Party. The Belgian Socialist Party itself consisted of former members of the Belgian Labour Party. From December 2011 to September 2014, the party was part of the Di Rupo Government, along with its Francophone counterpart. In 2020, it re-entered federal government as part of the De Croo Government. The party has been a part of the Flemish Government several times.

History

1885–1940

Main article: Belgian Labour Party

1940–1978

Main article: Belgian Socialist Party

Since 1978

The party was the big winner in the 2003 election, running on the SP.A–Spirit joint list (cartel) with the social-liberal party Spirit. Their share of the vote went up from 9% (of the total Belgian vote) to almost 15%, a second place in the number of votes. The main victim of this resurgence was the Green! party (formerly known as Agalev). SP.A was part of the "purple" federal coalitions of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt from 12 July 1999 until 10 June 2007, which contained both the Flemish and Francophone liberal and social-democratic parties.

In 2004, the SP.A along with its partner Spirit lost the elections for the Flemish Parliament. Although they won more seats in comparison to the Flemish elections of 1999, their percentage of the vote compared to the successful 2003 federal elections was considerably down. The reputation of then party leader Steve Stevaert took a beating too.

The party was briefly led by Caroline Gennez, after former president Steve Stevaert left to become governor of Limburg. Johan Vande Lanotte, who served as Minister of the Budget in the federal Government, was elected President and resigned as minister to become President on 17 October 2005. He resigned 11 June 2007, after SP.A–Spirit lost the elections for the federal parliament of 10 June 2007.^[12] In these federal elections, the cartel won 14 out of 150 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 4 out of 40 seats in the Senate. Afterwards, Caroline Gennez was elected President by the party members.

As of May 2009, SP.A was in opposition in federal politics. Unlike its Francophone counterpart, the Socialist Party (PS), SP.A was not a participant in the Leterme II Government.

In January 2009, the party had apparently changed its name to Socialists and Progressive Differently (Dutch: Socialisten en Progressieven Anders). This name change was retracted and the party baseline was changed from Social Progressive Alternative (Dutch: Sociaal Progressief Alternatief) to Socialists and Progressive Differently (Dutch: Socialisten en Progressieven Anders).^[13]

In the 2010 federal election, SP.A won 13 seats with 9% of the overall vote. The party was a member of the Di Rupo Government formed on 6 December 2011, until the elections in 2014. In the elections for the Chamber of Representatives on 25 May 2014, SP.A scored again 9% and received 13 seats, in contrast to their francophone Socialist Party counterparts, who lost 3 seats and whose share of the vote decreased by 2%. In the Flemish Parliament, SP.A have 18 representatives, deriving from around 14% of the vote—this is a small reduction on the 2009 parliament, where SP.A had 19 seats, deriving from 15% of the popular vote. From 2009–2014, SP.A participated in the Flemish Government, in an uneasy coalition with the CD & V and the N-VA. From 2014 onwards, SP.A formed part of the opposition in Flanders, as the regional government reflected the Flemish component of the federal administration, consisting of coalition of the Open-VLD, CD & V and the N-VA.

Leaders and representatives at a climate march, October 2021

In January 2018, the party advocated for a "new socialism" and a "new equality".^[14][15] In September 2020, party leader Conner Rousseau announced a renaming of the party to Vooruit ("Forward").^[16] The new name was made official on 21 March 2021.

Political views

Vooruit is a centre-left^[17] Flemish social democratic party. Equal opportunities and solidarity are central to the party. The party strives to ensure that those who earn the most or own the greatest wealth also pay the highest taxes so that the government can meet the needs of people who are less fortunate. Vooruit focuses on protecting the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. It opposes cuts in social security and advocates investment, especially in education and health care.^[18]

Presidents

Presidents of the SP[19]
Period	President
1978–1989	Karel Van Miert
1989–1994	Frank Vandenbroucke
1994–1998	Louis Tobback
1998–1999	Fred Erdman
1999–2001	Patrick Janssens

Presidents of SP.A/Vooruit[19]
Period	President	Vice-President
2001–2003	Patrick Janssens
2003–2005	Steve Stevaert	Caroline Gennez
2005	Caroline Gennez (ad interim)	N/A
2005–2007	Johan Vande Lanotte	Caroline Gennez
2007–2011	Caroline Gennez	Dirk Van der Maelen
2011–2015	Bruno Tobback	Joke Quintens
2015–2019	John Crombez	Stephanie Van Houtven
2019–2023	Conner Rousseau	Funda Oru
2023–present	Melissa Depraetere (ad interim)	Funda Oru

Members holding notable public offices

European politics

European Parliament
Name	Committees
Kathleen Van Brempt	International Trade

Federal politics

Chamber of Representatives
Name	Notes	Name	Notes
Melissa Depraetere	Faction leader	Vicky Reynaert
Jan Bertels		Ben Segers
Bert Moyaers		Kris Verduyckt
Anja Vanrobaeys		Joris Vandenbroucke
Karine Jiroflée

Senate
Type	Name	Notes
Co-opted Senator	Bert Anciaux	Faction leader
Community Senator	Kurt De Loor
Community Senator	Katia Segers
Community Senator	Annick Lambrecht

Belgian Federal De Croo Government
Public Office	Name	Function
Deputy Prime Minister	Frank Vandenbroucke	Social Affairs and Public Health
Minister	Meryame Kitir	Development Cooperation and Urban Policy

Regional politics

Flemish Parliament
Name	Notes	Name	Notes
Hannelore Goeman	Fraction Leader	Conner Rousseau	Party President
Kurt De Loor	Community Senator	Freya Van den Bossche
Annick Lambrecht	Community Senator	Steve Vandenberghe	Mayor of Bredene
Maxim Veys		Katia Segers	Community Senator
Bruno Tobback		Caroline Gennez
Hannes Anaf		Els Robeyns	Mayor of Wellen
Ludwig Vandenhove

Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region
Name	Notes
Fouad Ahidar
Els Rochette [nl]
Hilde Sabbe [nl]

Brussels Regional Government Vervoort II
Public Office	Name	Function
Minister	Pascal Smet	Urbanism, European and International Affairs, Foreign Trade, Fire Fighting and Emergency Medical Assistance

Provincial politics

Provincial Council
Province	Percentage	Seats
Antwerp	12,80%	10 / 72
Limburg	20,10%°	13 / 63
East Flanders	12,70%	9 / 72
Flemish Brabant	12,10%	8 / 72
West Flanders	15,80%	12 / 72

° In Limburg, SP.A formed a cartel with Groen.

Election results

Chamber of Representatives

The main six Flemish political parties and their results for the Chamber of Representatives from 1978 to 2014 in percentages for the complete kingdom

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/-	Government
1978	684,976	12.4	26 / 212		Coalition
1981	744,593	12.4	26 / 212		Opposition
1985	882,200	14.6	32 / 212	6	Opposition
1987	915,432	14.9	32 / 212	0	Coalition
1991	737,976	12.0	28 / 212	4	Coalition
1995	762,444	12.6	20 / 150	8	Coalition
1999	593,372	9.5	14 / 150	6	Coalition
2003*	979,750	14.9	23 / 150	9	Coalition
2007	684,390	10.3	14 / 150	9	Opposition
2010	602,867	9.2	13 / 150	1	Coalition
2014	595,190	8.8	13 / 150	0	Opposition
2019	455,034	6.7	9 / 150	4	External support (2020)
					Coalition (2020-)
2024	566,436	8.1	13 / 150	4	TBA

Senate

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/-
1978	678,776	12.4	13 / 106
1981	732,126	12.3	13 / 106	0
1985	868,624	14.5	16 / 106	3
1987	896,294	14.7	17 / 106	1
1991	730,274	11.9	14 / 106	3
1995	792,941	13.2	6 / 40	8
1999	550,657	8.9	4 / 40	2
2003[b]	1,013,560	15.5	7 / 40	3
2007	665,342	10.0	4 / 40	3
2010	613,079	9.5	4 / 40	0

Regional

Brussels Parliament

Election	Votes	%		Seats	+/-	Government
		D.E.C.	Overall
1995	11,710		2.7 (#9)	2 / 75		Coalition
1995	9,987		2.4 (#9)	2 / 75	0	Coalition
1999[c]	13,223	21.8 (#4)	3.1 (#8)	2 / 75	0	Coalition
2004[b]	11,052	17.7 (#3)	2.4 (#8)	3 / 89	1	Coalition
2009	10,085	19.5 (#2)	2.2 (#6)	4 / 89	1	Opposition
2014	10,450	19.5 (#2)	2.3 (#8)	3 / 89	1	Coalition
2019	10,540	15.1 (#3)	2.3 (#10)	3 / 89	0	Coalition
2024	8,045	10.0 (#6)	1.6 (#11)	2 / 89	1	TBA

Flemish Parliament

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/-	Government
1995	733,703	19.4 (#3)	25 / 124		Coalition
1999	582,419	15.0 (#4)	19 / 124	6	Coalition
2004[d]	799,325	19.7 (#4)	22 / 124	3	Coalition
2009	627,852	15.3 (#3)	19 / 124	3	Coalition
2014	587,903	14.0 (#4)	18 / 124	1	Opposition
2019	438,589	10.3 (#5)	13 / 124	5	Opposition
2024	606,406	13.8 (#3)	18 / 124	5	Coalition

European Parliament

Election	List leader	Votes	%		Seats	+/-	EP Group
			D.E.C.	Overall
1979	Karel Van Miert	698,889	20.90 (#2)	12.84	3 / 24	New	SOC
1984		979,702	28.13 (#2)	17.12	4 / 24	1
1989	Marc Galle	733,242	20.04 (#2)	12.43	3 / 24	1
1994	Freddy Willockx	651,371	17.63 (#3)	10.92	3 / 25	0	PES
1999	Frank Vandenbroucke	550,237	14.21 (#4)	8.89	2 / 25	1
2004[e]	Mia De Vits	716,317	17.83 (#3)	11.04	3 / 24	1
2009	Kathleen Van Brempt	539,393	13.23 (#4)	8.21	2 / 22	1	S&D
2014		555,354	13.18 (#4)	8.30	1 / 21	1
2019		434,002	10.21 (#6)	6.45	1 / 21	0
2024	Bruno Tobback	570,067	12.64 (#4)	8.47	2 / 22	1

Symbols

• 
  2001–2010
• 
  2010–2018
• 
  2018–2021
• 
  2021–

Notes

1. Dutch pronunciation: [soːɕaːˈlɪstisə pɑrˈtɛi ˈɑndərs] ^ⓘ; lit. 'Socialist Party Differently'.
2. In cartel with Spirit
3. In cartel with Agalev
4. In coalition with Spirit; 25 seats won by SP.A/Spirit
5. Run in a joint list with Spirit.

References

1. "Open VLD heeft de meeste leden en steekt CD&V voorbij". deredactie.be. 30 October 2014.
2. "Open Vld telt meeste leden". De Morgen. 30 October 2014.
3. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
4. Hans Slomp (2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 465. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8.
5. Dimitri Almeida (2012). The Impact of European Integration on Political Parties: Beyond the Permissive Consensus. CRC Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-136-34039-0.
6. Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko; Matti Mälkiä (2007). Encyclopedia of Digital Government. Idea Group Inc (IGI). p. 397. ISBN 978-1-59140-790-4.
7. Cas Mudde; Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser (2012). Populism in Europe and the Americas: Threat Or Corrective for Democracy?. Cambridge University Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-107-02385-7.
8. "sp.a - the Flemish Socialist Party". sp.a. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
9. "Conner Rousseau is the new leader of the Flemish Socialist Party". VRT NWS. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
10. Von der Burchard, Hans (21 May 2018). "Belgian socialist party circulates 'deep fake' Donald Trump video". Politico. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
11. Torbeyns, Anouck (21 March 2021). "SP.A is officieel Vooruit: 'Definitief afstand van de stilstand'". De Standaard (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
12. "Vande Lanotte gooit handdoek in de ring" (in Dutch). VRT. 11 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
13. Naam van sp.a verandert niet, begeleidende slogan wel Archived 20 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine ("Sp.a name doesn't change, baseline does"), GvA, 17 January 2009
14. "Le sp.a pour un "nouveau socialisme" et de "nouvelles égalités" (in French). RTBF. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
15. "Le sp.a pour un "nouveau socialisme". Le Vif/L'Express (in French). 21 January 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
16. Arnoudt, Rik (9 September 2020). "SP.A verandert binnenkort van naam en gaat "Vooruit" heten". VRT NWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 January 2021.
17. Josep M. Colomer (2008). Comparative European Politics. Taylor & Francis. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-203-94609-1.
18. "Waar staat Vooruit voor?" (in Dutch). VRT NWS. 15 April 2024.
19. "sp.a partijvoorzitters". Tijdslijn.s-p-a.be. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2010.

Further reading

• Johan Vande Lanotte (2010), Vlugschrift – over welvaart en geluk, (retrievable on the website sp.a-ledenbeheer^{[permanent dead link‍]}), 96 p., ISBN 978-90-486-0629-0.
• Patrick Vander Weyden, Koen Abts (2010), De basis spreekt — onderzoek naar de leden, mandatarissen en kiezers van sp.a (research on members sp.a by Ghent University), Acco (Leuven/Den Haag), 239 p., ISBN 978-90-334-7571-9.

External links

• Media related to Vooruit (party) at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website (Dutch)