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Belgium OVLD: Latest polls, election results and positions

Election Trend
3.3 %
-2.2 since the last election
Last Election
5.5 %
Election 2024 · 7 Seats
3-Month Trend
-2.7
Three months ago: 6.0 %
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Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang — Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten at a glance

Party for Freedom and Progress — Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats RE
Flag of Belgium Belgium Liberal Liberal Europhile Founded 1971

Open VLD is a Flemish liberal party in Belgium that advocates for individual freedom, personal responsibility, and a free market economy. As the heir to the classical liberal tradition, it positions itself in the political center and strives for a modern, secular society.

Values and Ideology
The foundation of Open VLD is classical liberalism, complemented by social-liberal approaches. At its core is the individual, who should be able to thrive free from state paternalism. The party views the state as a service provider, merely creating the framework conditions for prosperity and security. It consistently champions the separation of church and state and personal freedoms. Its view of humanity is optimistic: citizens are seen as responsible actors who contribute to societal progress through work and innovation.

Political Priorities
The political agenda of Open VLD focuses on tax reductions, cutting red tape, and increasing labor market flexibility. The party primarily targets entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and high-achieving middle-class professionals. A core objective is to bolster Flanders' competitiveness within Europe. Socially, it advocates progressive stances, for instance, on ethical issues and digitalization. Tensions often arise where economically liberal austerity measures clash with the social security systems of the Belgian federal state, forcing the party into a balancing act between market fundamentalism and social cohesion.

Role in the Political System
Strategically, Open VLD operates as a pragmatic centrist force, often assuming the role of 'kingmaker' in complex coalition governments. It is firmly embedded in the institutions of the constitutional monarchy and the EU. Its relationship with the rule of law is characterized by the defense of civil liberties against state overreach. Within the Belgian state structure, it generally advocates for an efficient division of responsibilities between regions and the federal government, prioritizing federal stability over separatist tendencies to safeguard the country's economic viability.

AI-generated texts based on editorial guidelines

Political Alignment
Conservative
Social
OVLD
Market
Progressive

Your position in comparison

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Current poll values in the Election Trend Party positions compared

OVLD: Key issues and ideological profile

OVLD Other Parties
Main topics of OVLD:: Economy (Core Topic), Social Affairs (Important Topic), Society (Minor Topic), Environment (Minor Topic), Migration (Minor Topic)
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OVLD: What does the party stand for? Positions compared

Position 2024

Economy & State

Should income and wealth be redistributed? Tends to reject stronger redistribution and emphasizes personal responsibility. Stance
How should the state manage its available budget? Tends towards austerity and debt reduction. Stance
Should the local economy be protected? Advocates largely free trade with minor protective measures. Stance

Society & Values

What is more important: freedom or security? Seeks balance between freedom and security. Stance
Should the equality of women be promoted? Supports measures to promote equality. Stance
Should LGBTQ+ equality be advanced? Advocates strong legal and social equality. Stance
Should same-sex marriage be allowed? Fully supports same-sex marriage. Stance
What role should religions play in politics? Advocates for strict separation of religion and state. Stance
Should policy focus on urban or rural areas? Seeks balance between urban and rural interests. Stance

Environment & Globalization

What is more important: environmental protection or economy? Prioritizes economic growth over ecological goals. Stance
What is more important: climate protection or economy? Seeks a balance between climate and economic goals. Stance

Migration & Integration

How should immigration policy be regulated? Holds a balanced position between openness and control. Stance
How should immigrant integration be shaped? Views integration as a two-way process. Stance
Should ethnic minorities be granted more rights? Considers equal rights sufficient. Stance
What role should nation-states play? Advocates international cooperation beyond national interests. Stance

Democracy & Institutions

How should power be distributed? Tends towards stronger leadership by individuals. Stance
How independent should the judiciary be? Advocates a completely independent judiciary without political influence. Stance
How should the state be organized: centralized or federal? Advocates for a balanced distribution of power between the center and regions. Stance
Positions of OVLD: Should income and wealth be redistributed? Tends to reject stronger redistribution and emphasizes personal responsibility. How should the state manage its available budget? Tends towards austerity and debt reduction. Should the local economy be protected? Advocates largely free trade with minor protective measures. What is more important: freedom or security? Seeks balance between freedom and security. Should the equality of women be promoted? Supports measures to promote equality. Should LGBTQ+ equality be advanced? Advocates strong legal and social equality. Should same-sex marriage be allowed? Fully supports same-sex marriage. What role should religions play in politics? Advocates for strict separation of religion and state. Should policy focus on urban or rural areas? Seeks balance between urban and rural interests. What is more important: environmental protection or economy? Prioritizes economic growth over ecological goals. What is more important: climate protection or economy? Seeks a balance between climate and economic goals. How should immigration policy be regulated? Holds a balanced position between openness and control. How should immigrant integration be shaped? Views integration as a two-way process. Should ethnic minorities be granted more rights? Considers equal rights sufficient. What role should nation-states play? Advocates international cooperation beyond national interests. How should power be distributed? Tends towards stronger leadership by individuals. How independent should the judiciary be? Advocates a completely independent judiciary without political influence. How should the state be organized: centralized or federal? Advocates for a balanced distribution of power between the center and regions.
All parties compared

OVLD in Europe

Political Alignment
Conservative
Social
Market
Progressive
OVLD

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European party
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
How is Europe developing? Election Trend for the EU Parliament

OVLD: Election results in Belgium since 1945

2024 9 June 2024 Worst result Vote share 5.5 % -3.0 Seats 7 -5 2019 26 May 2019 Vote share 8.5 % -1.3 Seats 12 -2 2014 25 May 2014 Vote share 9.8 % +1.2 Seats 14 +1 2010 13 June 2010 Vote share 8.6 % -3.2 Seats 13 -5 2007 10 June 2007 Vote share 11.8 % -3.6 Seats 18 -7 2003 18 May 2003 Best result Vote share 15.4 % +1.1 Seats 25 +2 1999 13 June 1999 Vote share 14.3 % +1.1 Seats 23 +2 1995 21 May 1995 Vote share 13.2 % +1.2 Seats 21 -5 1991 24 November 1991 Vote share 12.0 % +0.4 Seats 26 +1 1987 13 December 1987 Vote share 11.6 % +0.8 Seats 25 +3 1985 13 October 1985 Vote share 10.8 % -2.1 Seats 22 -6 1981 8 November 1981 Vote share 12.9 % +2.6 Seats 28 +6 1978 17 December 1978 Vote share 10.3 % +1.8 Seats 22 +5 1977 17 April 1977 Vote share 8.5 % -1.1 Seats 17 -4 1974 10 March 1974 Vote share 9.6 % +0.1 Seats 21 +1 1971 7 November 1971 Vote share 9.5 % Seats 20
OVLD: Election results in Belgium since 1945 1971: 9.5 %, 1974: 9.6 %, 1977: 8.5 %, 1978: 10.3 %, 1981: 12.9 %, 1985: 10.8 %, 1987: 11.6 %, 1991: 12.0 %, 1995: 13.2 %, 1999: 14.3 %, 2003: 15.4 %, 2007: 11.8 %, 2010: 8.6 %, 2014: 9.8 %, 2019: 8.5 %, 2024: 5.5 %

All elections since 1945 in which OVLD participated. Click a row to see election details.

Result of the Parliamentary election 2024 Historical election results at a glance
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OVLD in government: the record since 1945

1946 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Today
Led government Involved in government Not in government
Time in government
39 years • 2 weeks • 3 days
Share since 1946
45 %
Cabinets led
3

14 years • 2 months

Coalition involvements
14

24 years • 10 months • 2 weeks • 3 days

Alexander De Croo De Croo 1 October 2020 – 3 February 2025 · 4 years 4 months
63 of 150 seats
Sophie Wilmès Wilmes II 17 March 2020 – 29 September 2020 · 6 months 12 days
26 of 150 seats
Charles Michel Michel II 9 December 2018 – 26 May 2019 · 5 months 17 days
52 of 150 seats
Charles Michel Michel I 11 October 2014 – 9 December 2018 · 4 years 1 month
85 of 150 seats
Elio Di Rupo Di Rupo 6 December 2011 – 11 October 2014 · 2 years 10 months
96 of 150 seats
Yves Leterme Leterme II 25 November 2009 – 6 December 2011 · 2 years 11 days
12 of 22 seats
Herman Van Rompuy Rompuy 30 December 2008 – 25 November 2009 · 10 months 26 days
71 of 150 seats
Yves Leterme Leterme I 20 March 2008 – 30 December 2008 · 9 months 10 days
71 of 150 seats
Guy Verhofstadt Verhofstadt II 12 July 2003 – 20 March 2008 · 4 years 8 months
97 of 150 seats
Guy Verhofstadt Verhofstadt I 12 July 1999 – 12 July 2003 · 4 years
94 of 150 seats
Wilfried Martens Martens VI 28 November 1985 – 9 May 1988 · 2 years 5 months
115 of 212 seats
Wilfried Martens Martens V 17 December 1981 – 28 November 1985 · 3 years 11 months
113 of 212 seats
Wilfried Martens Martens III 18 May 1980 – 22 October 1980 · 5 months 4 days
21 of 24 seats
Tindemans III 6 March 1977 – 3 June 1977 · 2 months 28 days
102 of 212 seats
Tindemans II 11 June 1974 – 6 March 1977 · 2 years 8 months
115 of 212 seats
Tindemans I 25 April 1974 – 11 June 1974 · 1 month 17 days
102 of 212 seats
Leburton 26 January 1973 – 25 April 1974 · 1 year 2 months
159 of 212 seats
Historical governments at a glance

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