New Flemish Alliance
New Flemish Alliance | |
---|---|
Leader | Bart De Wever |
Founded | 2001 |
Headquarters | De Barricade Liefdadigheidsstraat 39 B-1210 Brussel Belgium |
Ideology | Nationalism, Conservatism |
European affiliation | European People's Party |
European Parliament group | EPP-ED |
International affiliation | none |
Colours | Orange/Black |
Website | |
www.n-va.be |
The Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie ("New-Flemish Alliance") is a Flemish political party, founded in the autumn of 2001. It is a separatist movement that strives for peaceful secession of Flanders from Belgium. The party is also known for fighting for laws that encourage the francophones living in Flanders to learn Dutch, Flanders' sole official language.
Volksunie
In 2001, the Volksunie ("Peoples Union") split into two parties: Spirit and N-VA, the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie. This was the result of internal struggles between the right-wing base and the left-wing leadership. The chairman of the Volksunie, Geert Bourgeois, won a referendum among the members with 47% of the votes. The leftist/social-democratic group of Bert Anciaux got 22% of the votes. 31% voted against a split. Since no group got over 50%, the name Volksunie couldn't be in use any longer.
Foundation and ideology
The Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (New-Flemish Alliance - N-VA) is a young political party, founded in the autumn of 2001. Being one of the continuators of the Volksunie (1954-2001), it is, however, based on an established political tradition. The N-VA works towards the same goal as its predecessor: to shape a radical Flemish-nationalism in a contemporary way.
In the political sphere, the N-VA pleads for a Flemish republic, member state of a democratic European confederation. The party believes that the challenges of the 21st century can best be answered from strong communities on the one hand and from a well developed international co-operation on the other hand.
Membership
The N-VA has members across the political spectrum, but as a whole it is considered center-right. It is seen as a democratic alternative to the far right Vlaams Belang. Its motives for secession are mainly pragmatic and rational.
Electorate
At the federal elections in 2003 N-VA got 5% of the votes, but only one seat in the federal parliament. In February 2004 they formed an alliance (cartel) with the CD&V ("Christian Democratic and Flemish"). The cartel won the elections for the Flemish parliament. The N-VA received a total of 6 seats.
Representation
- Geert Bourgeois, Flemish Minister for Administrative Affairs, Foreign Policy, Media and Tourism
Members in the European Parliament
Members in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
Members in the Belgian Senate
Members in the Flemish Parliament
- Jean-Marie Dedecker
- Mark Demesmaeker
- Bart De Wever
- Jan Loones
- Jan Peumans
- Helga Stevens
- Kris Van Dijck