Socialist Party – Different

Infobox_Belgian_Political_Party
party_name = Socialistische Partij – Anders
party_
party_wikicolourid = PVDA
leader = Caroline Gennez
foundation = 2001
ideology = social democracy
international = Socialist International
european = Party of European Socialists
europarl = Party of European Socialists
colours = Red
cartel = SP.A.-SPIRIT
walloon = Socialist Party (PS)
names = SP, SP/PS, BSP/PSB, BWP/POB
headquarters = national secretariat
Grasmarkt 105/37 Brussels
website = [http://www.s-p-a.be/ www.s-p-a.be]

Socialist Party – Different ( _nl. Socialistische Partij – Anders) (SP.A) is the Flemish social democratic party in Belgium. It was formerly known as Belgische Socialistische Partij (BSP) and Socialistische Partij (SP).

The party was the big winner in the 2003 election, running on a joint list (cartel) with the social liberal Spirit party. 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"). The SP.A was part of the "purple" federal coalitions of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt containing four liberal and socialist parties from the north and the south of the country from 12 July 1999 until 10 June 2007.

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. [cite news |title=Vande Lanotte gooit handdoek in de ring |url=http://www.vrtnieuws.net/cm/vrtnieuws.net/verkiezingen07/nieuws/070611_Partijbureau_SPA |publisher=VRT |date=2007-06-11 |accessdate=2007-06-12 |language=Dutch ] In these general elections, the cartel won 14 out of 150 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 4 out of 40 seats in the Senate.

Federally, SP.A is currently in opposition, as unlike its Francophone counterpart PS, it is not a participant in the current Leterme I Government.

Presidents

SP/PS
*1975-1977 Willy Claes
*1977-1978 Karel Van MiertSP
*1978-1989 Karel Van Miert
*1989-1994 Frank Vandenbroucke
*1994-1998 Louis Tobback
*1998-1999 Fred Erdman
*1999-2001 Patrick JanssensSP.a
*2001-2003 Patrick Janssens
*2003-2005 Steve Stevaert
*2005 Caroline Gennez
*2005-2007 Johan Vande Lanotte
*2007-present Caroline Gennez

Other important members

*Freya Van den Bossche
*Bruno Tobback
*Renaat Landuyt
*Peter Vanvelthoven
*Bruno Tuybens
*Kathleen Van Brempt, currently Flemish Minister for Mobility, Social Economy and Equal Opportunities.
*Pascal Smet
*Mia De Vits

ee also

* Belgische Werkliedenpartij (BWP)

Notes

External links

* http://www.s-p-a.be
* http://www.spa-spirit.be