Groen (political party)
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|
Green Groen | |
---|---|
President | Nadia Naji and Jeremie Vaneeckhout |
Founded | 1982 |
Headquarters | Van Orleystraat 5-11, 1000 Brussel, Belgium |
Youth wing | Young Green |
Membership (2018) | 10,000[1] |
Ideology | Green politics[2] Pacifism Progressivism |
Political position | Centre-left |
Regional affiliation | Socialists, Greens and Democrats[3] |
European affiliation | European Green Party |
International affiliation | Global Greens |
European Parliament group | The Greens–European Free Alliance |
Francophone counterpart | Ecolo |
Colours | Teal |
Chamber of Representatives | 8 / 88 (Flemish seats) |
Senate | 4 / 35 (Flemish seats) |
Flemish Parliament | 14 / 124 |
Brussels Parliament | 4 / 17 (Flemish seats) |
European Parliament | 1 / 12 (Flemish seats) |
Flemish Provincial Councils | 21 / 175 |
Mayors | 1 / 300 |
Website | |
www.groen.be | |
Part of a series on |
Green politics |
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Groen (lit. 'Green', [ɣruːn] ), founded as Agalev, is a green[2][4] Flemish political party in Belgium. The main pillars of the party are social justice, human rights, and ecologism.[5] Its French-speaking equivalent is Ecolo; the two parties maintain close relations with each other.
Political views[edit]
Groen is a progressive Flemish party that, as the name itself suggests, considers environmental and climate policy very important. The party wants to combine this with attention to social justice, equal opportunities, human rights and quality of life. In other words, the party wants to protect the planet, but wants to do so by paying attention to the weakest in society. The party therefore wants good and affordable health care and to tackle poverty. In order to afford these initiatives, the party expect the richest people and the biggest polluters in society to contribute more.[5]
History[edit]
Agalev[edit]
In 1979, the green party was founded by name of "Agalev", an acronym of "Anders Gaan Leven" ("Towards Different Living").[6] During the eighties, the party was known for being against nuclear weapons, and for being pro-Europe.[7][8]
In the elections of 1999, Agalev scored 7% federally and 11% regionally (in Flanders). The Flemish greens were part of the "purple-green" federal coalition of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt from 12 July 1999 until 18 May 2003. In this federal government, Magda Aelvoet was Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Public Health and the Environment. She resigned in 2002 due to her opposition of a Belgian arms delivery to Nepal, and was succeeded by fellow party member Jef Tavernier.[9]
In the Flemish government after these elections, Agalev held the minister responsibilities for well-being, health and equal opportunities (Mieke Vogels) and agriculture and environment (Vera Dua).
In the federal elections of 2003, Agalev scored less than 5% and lost all their seats (on the federal level). The next day, Jos Geysels resigned as party leader.[10][5]
Renaming to Groen! (2003)[edit]
Vera Dua got elected as chairperson, and on the same day, the party's name was changed to Groen! (Green!). The party got between 5 and 10% of the votes through the elections of the early 00's. They did not participate in a governmental coalition (on any level higher than local).
Groen (2012 - current)[edit]
In 2012 the party decided to drop de exclamation mark of their name.
After the local and provincial elections of 2014, Groen had a mandate for the first time in the province of Flemish-Brabant. In 2018 the province of East-Flanders followed. The results in Flemish-Brabant had improved though Green wasn't part of the coalition anymore after these elections.
In 2019, there were elections on the regional, federal and European level. At this time the school strike for climate movement had dominated the media, so the party Groen was expected to grow substantially. An total victory didn't happen though the party gained seats on all levels.[11]
On the regional level of Brussels-Capital, Groen participated in a red-green-blue coalition.[12] Elke Van den Brandt became Minister of Mobility, Public Works, and Road Safety.[13]
On the federal level, a new government wasn't formed until 17 March 2020, when the coronavirus outbreak urged a minority government with extra plenary powers to be formed. After 6 months a 'regular' majority government was formed and the Vivaldi coalition was sworn in with 2 Groen ministers. Petra De Sutter became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service, Public Enterprises, Telecommunication and Postal Services, as Europe's first transgender deputy prime minister. Tinne Van der Straeten holds the Ministry of Energy.
In 2012 the members of Groen elected new party leaders: the duo Nadia Naji and Jeremie Vaneeckhout, and the logo changed from green only to a more colourful background.[14]
Party chairperson[edit]
Name | From | Until | Vice-chairperson | Comments | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leo Cox | 28 March 1982 | 7 January 1989 | not applicable | Spokesperson |
2 | Johan Malcorps | 7 January 1989 | 6 June 1995 | not applicable | Spokesperson |
3 | Wilfried Bervoets | 6 June 1995 | 24 July 1998 | not applicable | Spokesperson. Passed away in function. During his illness, Jos Geysels was acting spokesperson. |
4 | Jos Geysels | 8 June 1998 | 21 June 2003 | not applicable | Spokesperson |
5 | Dirk Holemans | 21 June 2003 | 15 November 2003 | not applicable | Spokesperson |
6 | Vera Dua | 15 November 2003 | 10 November 2007 | not applicable | |
7 | Mieke Vogels | 10 November 2007 | 25 October 2009 | Wouter Van Besien (from 17 May 2008) | |
8 | Wouter Van Besien | 25 October 2009 | 15 November 2014 | Björn Rzoska (until 19 January 2013) Elke Van den Brandt (from 19 January 2013) |
|
9 | Meyrem Almaci | 15 November 2014 | 11 June 2022[15] | Jeremie Vaneeckhout (until 19 October 2019) Dany Neudt (from 19 October 2019) |
Re-elected |
10 | Jeremie Vaneeckhout and Nadia Naji | 11 June 2022[16] | Incumbent | not applicable |
Representation[edit]
In this table the election results of Agalev/Groen!/Groen in House of Representatives, Senate and European elections is represented, as well as the results of regional elections for Flanders and Brussels. The party's political leadership is represented as well. If it was part of the governing federal coalition, then its minister is listed.
Year | Belgian Chamber | Belgian Senate | European Parliament | Flemish Parliament | Brussels Parliament | Federal Cabinet | Party president* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | n/a | extra-parliamentary | unknown |
1980 | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | n/a | extra-parliamentary | unknown |
1981 | 2 | 1 | 0 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1982 | 2 | 1 | 0 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1983 | 2 | 1 | 0 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1984 | 2 | 1 | 1 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1985 | 4 | 2 | 1 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1986 | 4 | 2 | 1 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1987 | 6 | 3 | 1 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1988 | 6 | 3 | 1 | n/a | n/a | opposition | Leo Cox |
1989 | 6 | 3 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Leo Cox / Johan Malcorps |
1990 | 6 | 3 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Johan Malcorps |
1991 | 7 | 5 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Johan Malcorps |
1992 | 7 | 5 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Johan Malcorps |
1993 | 7 | 5 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Johan Malcorps |
1994 | 7 | 5 | 1 | na | 1 | opposition | Johan Malcorps |
1995 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | opposition | Johan Malcorps / Wilfried Bervoets |
1996 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | opposition | Wilfried Bervoets |
1997 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | opposition | Wilfried Bervoets / Jos Geysels |
1998 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | opposition | Jos Geysels |
1999 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | Magda Aelvoet | Jos Geysels |
2000 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | Magda Aelvoet | Jos Geysels |
2001 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | Magda Aelvoet | Jos Geysels |
2002 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | Magda Aelvoet | Jos Geysels |
2003 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 | extra-parliamentary | Jos Geysels / Dirk Holemans / Vera Dua |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | extra-parliamentary | Vera Dua |
2005 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | extra-parliamentary | Vera Dua |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | extra-parliamentary | Vera Dua |
2007 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | opposition | Vera Dua / Mieke Vogels |
2008 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | opposition | Mieke Vogels |
2009 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | opposition | Mieke Vogels / Wouter Van Besien |
2010 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | opposition | Wouter Van Besien |
2011 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | opposition | Wouter Van Besien |
2012 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | opposition | Wouter Van Besien |
2013 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | opposition | Wouter Van Besien |
2014 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3 | opposition | Wouter Van Besien |
2015 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3 | opposition | Meyrem Almaci |
2016 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3 | opposition | Meyrem Almaci |
2017 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3 | opposition | Meyrem Almaci |
2019 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 4 | coalition | Meyrem Almaci |
2024 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 4 | TBD | Nadia Naji / Jeremie Vaneeckhout |
Members of the European Parliament[edit]
After the 2004 European Parliament elections, the party has one representative in the European Parliament: Bart Staes. The Green! delegation is part of The Greens–European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament. Together with the two MEPs of the Dutch GreenLeft he forms one transnational delegation.
Municipal government[edit]
Green! participates in several municipal governments. The party is especially strong in university cities like Leuven and Ghent.
Electorate[edit]
The support of Green! has strongly fluctuated recently. It draws most of its support from Flemish voters who do not feel bound to the strong social organizations and pillars. The party is strongest in urban areas with concentrated student populations like Ghent and Leuven.
Green!'s support is distributed in the following way between the electoral districts in the 2014 general election:
Province | Votes (%) 2011 | Result (seats) 2011 | Votes (%) 2014 | Result (seats) 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Antwerp | 7.7% | 2 | 9.9% | 2 |
Flemish Brabant | 9.8% | 1 | 8.7% | 1 |
Limburg | 4.8% | 0 | 6.0% | 0 |
East Flanders | 7.4% | 1 | 9.1% | 2 |
West Flanders | 6.3% | 1 | 7.9% | 1 |
Electoral results[edit]
Chamber of Representatives[edit]
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1977 | 2,435 | 0.0 | 0 / 212
|
Extra-parliamentary | |
1978 | 5,556 | 0.1 | 0 / 212
|
0 | Extra-parliamentary |
1981 | 138,575 | 2.3 | 2 / 212
|
2 | Opposition |
1985 | 226,758 | 3.7 | 4 / 212
|
2 | Opposition |
1987 | 275,437 | 4.5 | 6 / 212
|
2 | Opposition |
1991 | 299,550 | 4.9 | 7 / 212
|
1 | Opposition |
1995 | 269,058 | 4.4 | 5 / 150
|
2 | Opposition |
1999 | 434,449 | 7.0 | 9 / 150
|
4 | Coalition |
2003 | 162,205 | 2.5 | 0 / 150
|
9 | Extra-parliamentary |
2007 | 265,828 | 4.0 | 4 / 150
|
4 | Opposition |
2010 | 285,989 | 4.4 | 5 / 150
|
1 | Opposition |
2014 | 358,947 | 5.3 | 6 / 150
|
1 | Opposition |
2019 | 413,836 | 6.1 | 8 / 150
|
2 | External support (2020) |
Coalition (2020–) |
Senate[edit]
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/− |
---|---|---|---|---|
1977 | 3,270 | 0.1 | 0 / 106
|
|
1978 | 0 / 106
|
|||
1981 | 121,016 | 2.0 | 1 / 106
|
1 |
1985 | 229,206 | 3.8 | 2 / 106
|
1 |
1987 | 299,049 | 4.9 | 3 / 105
|
1 |
1991 | 314,360 | 5.1 | 5 / 70
|
2 |
1995 | 223,355 | 3.7 | 1 / 40
|
4 |
1999 | 438,931 | 7.1 | 3 / 40
|
2 |
2003 | 161,024 | 2.5 | 0 / 40
|
3 |
2007 | 241,151 | 3.6 | 1 / 40
|
1 |
2010 | 251,605 | 3.9 | 1 / 40
|
0 |
Regional[edit]
Brussels Parliament[edit]
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D.E.C. | Overall | |||||
1989 | 4,821 | 1.1 (#12) | 1 / 75
|
Opposition | ||
1995 | 3,906 | 1.0 (#11) | 0 / 75
|
1 | Opposition | |
1999[a] | 13,223 | 21.8 (#4) | 3.1 (#8) | 0 / 75
|
0 | Opposition |
2004 | 6,132 | 9.8 (#5) | 1.4 (#10) | 1 / 89
|
1 | Opposition |
2009 | 5,806 | 11.2 (#5) | 1.3 (#10) | 2 / 89
|
1 | Coalition |
2014 | 9,551 | 17.9 (#5) | 2.1 (#9) | 3 / 89
|
1 | Opposition |
2019 | 14,425 | 20.6 (#1) | 3.1 (#7) | 4 / 89
|
1 | Coalition |
Flemish Parliament[edit]
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 267,155 | 7.1 (#6) | 7 / 124
|
Opposition | |
1999 | 451,361 | 11.6 (#5) | 12 / 124
|
5 | Coalition |
2004 | 308,898 | 7.6 (#5) | 6 / 124
|
6 | Opposition |
2009 | 278,211 | 6.8 (#7) | 7 / 124
|
1 | Opposition |
2014 | 365,779 | 8.7 (#5) | 10 / 124
|
3 | Opposition |
2019 | 428,696 | 10.1 (#5) | 14 / 124
|
4 | Opposition |
2024 | 304,688 | 7.17 | 9 / 124
|
5 | TBD |
European Parliament[edit]
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
D.E.C. | Overall | ||||
1979 | 77,986 | 2.3 (#5) | 0 / 24
|
||
1984 | 246,712 | 7.1 (#5) | 1 / 24
|
1 | |
1989 | 446,539 | 12.2 (#4) | 1 / 24
|
0 | |
1994 | 396,198 | 10.7 (#5) | 1 / 25
|
0 | |
1999 | 464,042 | 12.0 (#6) | 7.5 | 2 / 25
|
1 |
2004 | 320,874 | 8.0 (#5) | 4.9 | 1 / 24
|
1 |
2009 | 322,149 | 7.9 (#6) | 4.9 | 1 / 22
|
0 |
2014 | 447,391 | 10.6 (#5) | 6.7 | 1 / 21
|
0 |
2019 | 525,908 | 12.4 (#5) | 7.8 | 1 / 21
|
0 |
Elected politicians[edit]
Current[edit]
Chamber of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Constituency | Name | Notes |
Antwerp | Meyrem Almaci | |
Antwerp | Kristof Calvo | |
East Flanders | Stefaan Van Hecke | |
Leuven | Eva Brems | |
West Flanders | Wouter De Vriendt | |
Senate | ||
Type | Name | Notes |
Directly elected | Freya Piryns | |
Community Senator | Mieke Vogels | |
European Parliament | ||
Type | Name | Notes |
Directly elected | Bart Staes | |
Flemish Parliament | ||
Type | Name | Notes |
Antwerp | Imade Annouri | |
Antwerp | Wouter Van Besien | |
Antwerp | Ingrid Pira | |
Brussels-Capital Region | Elke Van den Brandt | |
East Flanders | Elisabeth Meuleman | |
East Flanders | Björn Rzoska | |
Limburg | Johan Danen | |
Flemish Brabant | An Moerenhout | |
West Flanders | Bart Caron |
Provincial councilors
- 2012–2018:
- Greet Bockx
- Tom Caals
- Koen Kerremans
- Diederik Vandendriessche
- Loes Van Cleemput
- Karin Van Hoffelen
- Yasmina Beldjoudi
- Inge De Bal
- Elisabet Dooms
- Jan Fiers
- Rik Franck
- Riet Gillis
- Stephan Boogaerts
- Luc Debraekeleer
- Luc Robijns
- Tie Roefs
- Sarah Sneyers
- Bernadette Stassens
- Erik Torbeyns
- Alex Colpaert
- Herman Lodewyckx
- Gerda Schotte
- Maarten Tavernier
Past[edit]
Chamber of Representatives
- 1987–1991 (6):
- 1991–1995 (7):
- Magda Aelvoet (until 20 July 1994) → Lodewijk Steenwegen
- Luc Barbé
- Wilfried De Vlieghere
- Vera Dua
- Jos Geysels
- Hugo Van Dienderen
- Mieke Vogels (until 11 January 1995) → Peter Luyten
- 1995–1999 (5):
- 1999–2003 (9):
- Eddy Boutmans (until 12 October 1999) → Leen Laenens
- Anne-Mie Descheemaeker
- Kristien Grauwels
- Simonne Leen
- Fauzaya Talhaoui
- Jef Tavernier (until 28 August 2002) → Liliane De Cock
- Peter Vanhoutte
- Lode Vanoost
- Joos Wauters
- 2007–2010 (4):
- 2010–2014 (5):
Brussels Parliament
- 1989–1995 (1):
- 1999–2004 (1):
- Adelheid Byttebier (until 6 June 2003; replaced Mieke Vogels as Flemish minister) → Anne Van Asbroeck (SP.A)
- 2004–2009 (1):
- 2009–2014 (2):
- Bruno De Lille (became Brussels-Capital Region state secretary) → Elke Van den Brandt
- Annemie Maes
European Parliament
- 1984–1989 (1):
- 1989–1994 (1):
- 1994–1999 (1):
- 1999–2004 (2):
- Patsy Sörensen
- Bart Staes (left Spirit for Groen! in July 2002)
- Luckas Vander Taelen (until 2002) → Jan Dhaene (left Groen! for SP.A in January 2004)
- 2004–2009 (1):
- 2009–2014 (1):
Flemish Parliament
- 1995–1999 (7):
- 1999–2004 (12):
- Magda Aelvoet (until 12 July 1999; became federal minister) → Ann De Martelaer
- Veerle Declercq
- Jos Geysels
- Eloi Glorieux
- Dirk Holemans
- Johan Malcorps
- Frans Ramon
- Ludo Sannen (until 26 May 2003; replaced Vera Dua as Flemish minister) → Flor Ory (until 17 February 2004) → Ludo Sannen
- Jos Stassen
- Ria Van Den Heuvel
- Jo Vermeulen
- Vera Dua (became Flemish minister) → Isabel Vertriest (until 26 May 2003) → Vera Dua
- 2004–2009 (6):
- 2009–2014 (7):
- Bart Caron
- Elisabeth Meuleman
- Dirk Peeters
- Hermes Sanctorum
- Luckas Vander Taelen
- Mieke Vogels
- Filip Watteeuw (until 31 December 2012)
Provincial councilors
- 1985–1991:
- Province of Brabant Johan Hamels
- 2006–2012:
Past election history[edit]
2010 federal election[edit]
Electoral arrondissement | Main candidate | |
---|---|---|
Chamber of Representatives | Antwerp | Meyrem Almaci |
Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde | Tinne Van der Straeten | |
East Flanders | Stefaan Van Hecke | |
Leuven | Eva Brems | |
Limburg | Toon Hermans | |
West Flanders | Wouter De Vriendt | |
Senate | Freya Piryns |
See also[edit]
- Ecolo the Walloon (Francophone) green party
- Green party
- Green politics
- List of environmental organizations
References[edit]
- ^ "Open VLD heeft de meeste leden en steekt CD&V voorbij". deredactie.be. 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Flanders/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
- ^ "Politieke fracties". Benelux Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ Bale, Tim (2021). Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis. Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-009-00686-6. OCLC 1256593260.
- ^ a b c "Waar staat Groen voor?" (in Dutch). VRT NWS. 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Integraal verslag van de plenaire vergadering op donderdag 29 okt 2015" (PDF) (in nl&fr). Belgische Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigers. 2015-10-29.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Elections 24: what do the Flemish ecologists of Groen stand for?". vrtnws.be. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Belgium || Bomspotting. 2,000 Protest Against Nuclear Weapons". International Socialist Alternative. 2002-10-07. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Belgium arms sale row deepens". 2002-08-27. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Jos Geysels neemt ontslag als politiek secretaris Agalev". Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Groen boekt winst, maar grote sprong vooruit blijft uit". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). 2019-05-26. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Akkoord voor Brusselse regering is rond: mét Open VLD, zonder MR". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "De onopvallende minister-president, de brouwer en de vrouw achter paars-groen: dit is de nieuwe Brusselse regering". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Groen heeft nieuw voorzittersduo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout en Nadia Naji halen het in de eerste stemronde". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Meyrem Almaci stopt als voorzitter van Groen: "Het is nu aan andere mensen, dat zal Groen deugd doen"" [Meyrem Almaci quits as president of Groen: "Up to other people now, which will benefit Groen"]. vrtnws. 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Groen heeft nieuw voorzittersduo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout en Nadia Naji halen het in de eerste stemronde" [Groen has new presidential duo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout and Nadia Naji win already in first round of elections]. vrtnws. 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
External links[edit]
Media related to Groen (party) at Wikimedia Commons