Sociaal-Liberale Partij


Sociaal-Liberale Partij was a Belgian Flemish political party formed after dissolution of the moderate nationalist People's Union party. Prior to 19 April 2008 it was known as Spirit, and intermediately as Flemish Progressives. The party merged with Groen in the end of 2009, ceasing to exist.

History

The People's Union separated into two parties, the social liberal Spirit and the centre-right New-Flemish Alliance, which formed a cartel with the Christian Democratic and Flemish party. The formation of the cartels was seen as a way in which Spirit and N-VA could guarantee their influence and position in Flemish and Belgian politics. The forming of the cartel led the liberal wing of the party to join the Flemish Liberals and Democrats.

Abbreviation

Spirit was the abbreviation for
In the 10 June 2007 general elections, the Social Liberal party was in a cartel with Socialist Party Different and won 14 out of 88 Flemish seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 4 out of 40 Flemish seats in the Senate.

End of the cartel

In the autumn of 2008, following a scandal causing its leader, Bettina Geysen to step down, the Social Liberal Party ended its cooperation with SP.A. Geert Lambert was elected the new leader. Many prominent party members, including cofounder Bert Anciaux, left the party.