Christian Democratic Appeal
Encyclopedia
The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) is a centre-right
Dutch
Christian democratic
political party
. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place. The CDA is currently a junior coalition partner in a centre-right
minority cabinet with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
(VVD) which is supported in parliament by the Party for Freedom
(PVV). The CDA has 6 ministers in the Cabinet Rutte along with the 6 VVD cabinet ministers, CDA Leader Maxime Verhagen
is Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.
Since 1880 the sizeable Catholic
and Protestant parties had worked together in the so-called Coalitie
. They shared a common interest in public funding of religious schools
. In 1888 they formed the first Christian-Democratic government, led by the Anti-Revolutionary Æneas Baron Mackay. The cooperation was not without problems and in 1894 the more anti-papist and aristocratic conservatives left the Protestant Anti Revolutionary Party
, to found the Christian Historical Union
. The main issues dividing Protestants and Catholics was the position of the Dutch Representation at the Holy See
and the future of the Dutch Indies.
From 1918 onward the three parties had a majority in both houses of States-General
, and at least two of three parties were represented in the cabinets. This majority lasted until 1967. After the war the three Christian-Democratic parties were the Catholic People's Party
(KVP), the Protestant Anti Revolutionary Party
(ARP), and the Protestant Christian Historical Union
(CHU). The KVP and its antecedent, the Roman Catholic State Party, had been in government without interruption since 1918.
In the sixties, the Dutch society became more secularized and the pillars
faded, and voters began to move away from the three Christian-Democratic parties. In 1963
the three parties held 51% of the vote, whilst in 1972
they held only 32%. This decline forced the three parties to work closer together. In 1967 the Group of Eighteen was formed: it was a think-tank of six prominent politicians per party that planned the future cooperation of the three parties. In 1968 the three political leaders of the parties (Norbert Schmelzer
(KVP), Barend Biesheuvel
(ARP) and Jur Mellema (CHU) made a public appearance, stating that the three parties would continue to work together.
This caused progressive forces within the three parties, especially the ARP and KVP to regret their political affiliation. In 1968 they founded the Political Party of Radicals, a leftwing party that sought cooperation with the social-democratic Labour Party
(PvdA). Locally and provincially however the three parties had long cooperated well, in some areas they formed one Christian-Democratic parliamentary party and proposed one list of candidates. In 1971
the three parties presented a common political program, which lay the foundation for the Biesheuvel
cabinets.
After the disastrous elections of 1972 the cooperation was given new momentum. Piet Steenkamp
, a member of the House of Representatives for the KVP was appointed chairman of a council which was to lay the foundation for a federation of the three parties, and provide a common manifesto of principles. In 1973 this federation was officially formed, with Steenkamp as chairperson.
The cooperation was frustrated by the formation of the cabinet Den Uyl
, established by the leader of the social-democratic PvdA and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Joop den Uyl
. Den Uyl refused to allow members of the CHU in the cabinet that he would lead. This led to a situation where the CHU, ARP and KVP formed a federation and had one parliamentary party in both houses of parliament, but only the KVP and ARP supplied ministers and junior ministers. The cabinet Den Uyl was riddled with political and personal conflicts. Another issue that split the three parties was the place the Bible
would take in the new party.
the parties presented a common list at the parliamentary elections, under the name Christen Democratisch Appèl. The KVP minister of Justice, Dries van Agt
, was the top candidate. In the election campaign he made clear the CDA was a centrist party, that would not lean to the left or to the right. The three parties were able to stabilize their proportion of the vote.
The election result forced Van Agt to start talks with Den Uyl. The animosity between Van Agt, who had been vice-prime-minister in the cabinet Den Uyl, and Den Uyl, frustrated the talks. After more than 300 days of negotiations, they finally officially failed, and Van Agt was able to negotiate a cabinet with the conservative liberal VVD. The Cabinet Van Agt-I
had a very narrow majority. The unexpected cabinet with the VVD led to split within the newly founded CDA between more progressive and more conservative members. The progressives remained within the party, and were known as loyalists. On October 11, 1980, the three original parties ceased to exist and the CDA was founded as a unitary party. After the elections of 1981
, the VVD and the CDA had lost their majority, and the CDA was forced to cooperate with the PvdA. Van Agt became prime minister and Den Uyl became vice prime minister. The cabinet
was troubled by ideological and personal conflicts, and fell after one year.
After the 1982 elections
, a CDA/VVD cabinet
was supported by a majority in parliament. The new CDA leader, Ruud Lubbers
, set an ambitious reform program in motion, which included budget cuts, reform of the old age and disability pension
s and liberalization
of public services. Lubbers won the 1986
and 1989
elections, and he was not only supported by Christians, but also by non-religious people. In 1989 however, although the CDA had won the elections, they were unable to get a majority with their coalition partner, the VVD. The CDA was forced to cooperate with the PvdA. In the third cabinet Lubbers
, the ambitious reform project was continued, with some adaptations and protests from the PvdA.
were fraught with problems for the CDA: personal conflicts between prime-minister Lubbers and lijsttrekker
Elco Brinkman, a lack of support for the reforms of old age and disability pensions, and the perceived arrogance of the CDA caused a dramatic defeat at the polls. A new government was formed without any Christian Democratic ministers for the first time since 1918. The CDA was confined to the opposition. The party was marred by subsequent internal battles over leadership. The party also reflected on its principals: the party began to orient itself more toward communitarian
ideals.
During the tumultuous 2002 elections
, which saw the murder of Pim Fortuyn
, many people voted for the CDA, hoping that this party could bring some stability to Dutch politics. The CDA led the Balkenende coalition
, which included the VVD and the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF). This cabinet fell due to internal struggles within the LPF. After the 2003 elections
, the Christian Democrats were forced to begin cabinet negotiations with the PvdA. Personal animosity between Balkenende and the leader of the PvdA, Wouter Bos
, frustrated these negotiations. Balkenende eventually formed a coalition with the conservative and progressive liberals. The coalition proposed an ambitious program of reforms, including more restrictive immigration
laws, democratization
of political institutions and reforms of the system of social security
and labour laws.
After the 2006 elections
the CDA changed their course radically: they formed a new cabinet still led by Balkenende, but now with the social-democratic PvdA and the social-Christian ChristianUnion
. The cabinet was more progressive, entailing increased government spending funded by higher taxes.
In the 2010 elections
the CDA lost half of its seats and became only fourth after VVD, PvdA and PVV. Balkenende announced his resignation and stayed prime minister until the formation and inauguration of the Rutte cabinet.
party, but the Bible is only seen as one source of inspiration, for individual members of parliament. The party also has Jewish, Muslim
and Hindu
members of parliament, and it favors the integration of minorities into Dutch culture.
The party has four main ideals: shared responsibility, stewardship
, justice
and solidarity. Shared responsibility refers to the way society should be organized: not one organization should control all society, instead the state
, the market
, and social institutions, like churches and unions
should work together. This is called sphere sovereignty
, a core concept of Protestant political philosophy. Furthermore, this refers to the way the state should be organized. Not one level of the state should have total control, instead responsibility should be shared between local
, provincial
, national and European government
. This is called subsidiarity
in Catholic political thought. With stewardship the Christian Democrats refer to the way we should treat our planet: the Earth is a gift from God. Therefore we should try to preserve our environment.
Practically, this means the CDA is a centre-right party. However, the party has a considerable center-left wing, that supports eco-friendly politics, a strong pro-European policy and favors centre-left coalitions. The position of the centre-left group within the party has been weakened since the party's participation in the rightist minority cabinet with the VVD (Cabinet Rutte), a cabinet that stronly depends on the parliamentary support of the PVV. CDA politicians that can be considered centrist or centre-left: Jack Biskop
(MP), Ad Koppejan
(MP), Kathleen Ferrier
(MP; daughter of the late Johan Ferrier
, president of Suriname
1975-1980), Dries van Agt
(former Prime Minister), Ruud Lubbers
(former Prime Minister) and Herman Wijffels
(former chairman of the Social Economic Council, former informateur).
It's interesting to know that Maxime Verhagen
, the informal leader of the CDA and current deputy Prime Minister, strongly denies the claim that the CDA is considered a rightist party. Verhagen continues to tell the media that his party is a centrist and moderate party and that the CDA participates in a centre-right coalition (with the VVD as the rightist component and the CDA as the centrist component). However, his colleague in the cabinet, minister of Defence, Hans Hillen
, is a strong proponent of a conservative CDA.
Chairperson of the parliamentary party in the House of Representatives:
Lijsttrekker
:
:
since the election of 2009
:
Geographically, the CDA is particularly strong in the provinces of North Brabant
, Limburg
and Overijssel
and in the Veluwe
and the Westland areas. In the 2006 elections the CDA received the highest percentage of votes in the municipality of Tubbergen
, Overijssel (66,59% of the vote). The CDA is weaker in the four major cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht) and in Groningen
and Drenthe
.
As an effect of pillarization, the CDA still has many personal and ideological ties with religious organizations, such as the broadcasting societies KRO
and NCRV
, the paper Trouw
, the employers organizations NCW
and the union CNV
.
The CDA participates in the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
, a democracy assistance organisation of seven Dutch political parties.
. Within the EPP the CDA belongs to those parties which least favour a cooperation with the conservatives.
(although it's more moderate). It is the Netherlands' third largest right-wing party (after the VVD and the PVV), but it is more centrist than the British Conservative Party
.
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
Dutch
Politics of the Netherlands
The politics of the Netherlands take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralised unitary state. The Netherlands is described as a consociational state...
Christian democratic
Christian Democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place. The CDA is currently a junior coalition partner in a centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
minority cabinet with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy is a conservative-liberal political party located in the Netherlands. The VVD supports private enterprise in the Netherlands and is often perceived as an economic liberal party in contrast to the social-liberal Democrats 66 alongside which it sits in...
(VVD) which is supported in parliament by the Party for Freedom
Party for Freedom
The Party for Freedom is a Dutch right-wing political party. Founded in 2005 as the successor to Geert Wilders' one-man party in the House of Representatives, it won nine seats in the 2006 general election, making it the fifth largest party in parliament, and third largest opposition party. It...
(PVV). The CDA has 6 ministers in the Cabinet Rutte along with the 6 VVD cabinet ministers, CDA Leader Maxime Verhagen
Maxime Verhagen
Maxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
is Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands is the official Deputy of the Head of Government of the Netherlands. In the absence of the Prime Minister the deputy prime minister takes over his functions, such as chairing the Cabinet of the Netherlands...
and Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.
History before 1977
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and Protestant parties had worked together in the so-called Coalitie
Coalition (Netherlands)
The Coalition is a historic coalition of the three confessional parties of the Netherlands, the Christian Historical Union, Anti-Revolutionary Party and Roman Catholic State Party. They were united in their common plight for equal financing for religious schools. They were opposed to the...
. They shared a common interest in public funding of religious schools
School struggle
The School Struggle or Schoolstrijd is a historical conflict in the Netherlands between 1848 and 1917 over the equalization of public financing for religious schools...
. In 1888 they formed the first Christian-Democratic government, led by the Anti-Revolutionary Æneas Baron Mackay. The cooperation was not without problems and in 1894 the more anti-papist and aristocratic conservatives left the Protestant Anti Revolutionary Party
Anti Revolutionary Party
The Anti Revolutionary Party was a Dutch Protestant Christian democratic political party. The ARP is one of the predecessors of the Christian Democratic Appeal. After 1917 the party never received more than twenty percent of the vote.-History before 1879:The anti-revolutionary parliamentary caucus...
, to found the Christian Historical Union
Christian Historical Union
The Christian Historical Union was a Dutch conservative Protestant political party. The CHU is one of the predecessors of the Christian Democratic Appeal.-History before 1908:...
. The main issues dividing Protestants and Catholics was the position of the Dutch Representation at the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and the future of the Dutch Indies.
From 1918 onward the three parties had a majority in both houses of States-General
States-General of the Netherlands
The States-General of the Netherlands is the bicameral legislature of the Netherlands, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The parliament meets in at the Binnenhof in The Hague. The archaic Dutch word "staten" originally related to the feudal classes in which medieval...
, and at least two of three parties were represented in the cabinets. This majority lasted until 1967. After the war the three Christian-Democratic parties were the Catholic People's Party
Catholic People's Party
The Catholic People's Party was a Catholic Christian democratic Dutch political party. During its entire existence, the party was in government. The party is one of the precursors of the Christian Democratic Appeal.- 1945-1965 :The KVP was founded on 22 December, 1945...
(KVP), the Protestant Anti Revolutionary Party
Anti Revolutionary Party
The Anti Revolutionary Party was a Dutch Protestant Christian democratic political party. The ARP is one of the predecessors of the Christian Democratic Appeal. After 1917 the party never received more than twenty percent of the vote.-History before 1879:The anti-revolutionary parliamentary caucus...
(ARP), and the Protestant Christian Historical Union
Christian Historical Union
The Christian Historical Union was a Dutch conservative Protestant political party. The CHU is one of the predecessors of the Christian Democratic Appeal.-History before 1908:...
(CHU). The KVP and its antecedent, the Roman Catholic State Party, had been in government without interruption since 1918.
In the sixties, the Dutch society became more secularized and the pillars
Pillarisation
Pillarisation is a term used to describe the politico-denominational segregation of Dutch and Belgian society. These societies were "vertically" divided into several segments or "pillars" according to different religions or ideologies.These pillars all had their own social institutions: their own...
faded, and voters began to move away from the three Christian-Democratic parties. In 1963
Dutch general election, 1963
A general election of the House of Representatives of the Dutch Parliament was held in the Netherlands on May 15, 1963.-National summary:-Parties:* Anti Revolutionary Party...
the three parties held 51% of the vote, whilst in 1972
Dutch general election, 1972
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on November 29, 1972.-National summary:...
they held only 32%. This decline forced the three parties to work closer together. In 1967 the Group of Eighteen was formed: it was a think-tank of six prominent politicians per party that planned the future cooperation of the three parties. In 1968 the three political leaders of the parties (Norbert Schmelzer
Norbert Schmelzer
Wilhelm Klaus Norbert Schmelzer was a Dutch politician of the defunct Catholic People's Party now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal . Serving numerus positions in his career including Minister of Foreign Affairs from July 6, 1971 until May 11, 1973...
(KVP), Barend Biesheuvel
Barend Biesheuvel
Barend Willem Biesheuvel was a Dutch politician of the defunct Anti Revolutionary Party now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from July 6, 1971 until May 11, 1973.He previously served as a Member of the House of Representatives from...
(ARP) and Jur Mellema (CHU) made a public appearance, stating that the three parties would continue to work together.
This caused progressive forces within the three parties, especially the ARP and KVP to regret their political affiliation. In 1968 they founded the Political Party of Radicals, a leftwing party that sought cooperation with the social-democratic Labour Party
Labour Party (Netherlands)
The Labour Party , is a social-democratic political party in the Netherlands. Since the 2003 Dutch General Election, the PvdA has been the second largest political party in the Netherlands. The PvdA was a coalition member in the fourth Balkenende cabinet following 22 February 2007...
(PvdA). Locally and provincially however the three parties had long cooperated well, in some areas they formed one Christian-Democratic parliamentary party and proposed one list of candidates. In 1971
Dutch general election, 1971
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on April 28, 1971.-National summary:turnout: 79.1%...
the three parties presented a common political program, which lay the foundation for the Biesheuvel
Netherlands cabinet Biesheuvel-1
The first Biesheuvel cabinet was a Dutch cabinet with ministers from ARP, CHU , Roman Catholic KVP, the conservative-liberal VVD and moderate socialist DS'70, which had just split off from PvdA....
cabinets.
After the disastrous elections of 1972 the cooperation was given new momentum. Piet Steenkamp
Piet Steenkamp
Petrus Antonius Josephus Maria Steenkamp is a Dutch politician.He is a member of the CDA. He played an important role in the formation of the party and is therefore referred to as the father of the CDA. He was president of the Dutch Senate from 1983 to 1991. He was succeeded by Herman Tjeenk...
, a member of the House of Representatives for the KVP was appointed chairman of a council which was to lay the foundation for a federation of the three parties, and provide a common manifesto of principles. In 1973 this federation was officially formed, with Steenkamp as chairperson.
The cooperation was frustrated by the formation of the cabinet Den Uyl
Netherlands cabinet Den Uyl
The Den Uyl cabinet was a Dutch left-wing cabinet under prime minister Joop den Uyl with ministers from PvdA, PPR, D66, KVP and ARP. The last two parties were actually moderately right-wing, but left-wing elements within these parties supported cabinet den Uyl to create a left-wing majority...
, established by the leader of the social-democratic PvdA and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Joop den Uyl
Joop den Uyl
Johannes Marten den Uijl, known as Joop den Uyl was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from May 11, 1973 until December 19, 1977....
. Den Uyl refused to allow members of the CHU in the cabinet that he would lead. This led to a situation where the CHU, ARP and KVP formed a federation and had one parliamentary party in both houses of parliament, but only the KVP and ARP supplied ministers and junior ministers. The cabinet Den Uyl was riddled with political and personal conflicts. Another issue that split the three parties was the place the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
would take in the new party.
Period of CDA prime ministers 1977–1994
In 1977Dutch general election, 1977
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on May 25, 1977....
the parties presented a common list at the parliamentary elections, under the name Christen Democratisch Appèl. The KVP minister of Justice, Dries van Agt
Dries van Agt
Andreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
, was the top candidate. In the election campaign he made clear the CDA was a centrist party, that would not lean to the left or to the right. The three parties were able to stabilize their proportion of the vote.
The election result forced Van Agt to start talks with Den Uyl. The animosity between Van Agt, who had been vice-prime-minister in the cabinet Den Uyl, and Den Uyl, frustrated the talks. After more than 300 days of negotiations, they finally officially failed, and Van Agt was able to negotiate a cabinet with the conservative liberal VVD. The Cabinet Van Agt-I
Netherlands cabinet Van Agt-1
The first Van Agt cabinet was a right-wing coalition of the CDA and the VVD. The Labour Party was the largest party after the elections, but the demands of Labour leader Joop den Uyl were too great for Christian-Democrat Dries van Agt, who formed a coalition with right-wing liberal Hans Wiegel...
had a very narrow majority. The unexpected cabinet with the VVD led to split within the newly founded CDA between more progressive and more conservative members. The progressives remained within the party, and were known as loyalists. On October 11, 1980, the three original parties ceased to exist and the CDA was founded as a unitary party. After the elections of 1981
Dutch general election, 1981
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on May 26, 1981.-National summary:...
, the VVD and the CDA had lost their majority, and the CDA was forced to cooperate with the PvdA. Van Agt became prime minister and Den Uyl became vice prime minister. The cabinet
Netherlands cabinet Van Agt-2
The second Van Agt cabinet was a coalition between the Christian democrats , the labour party and the left-wing liberals D66. Many incidents made a healthy coalition impossible. Prime minister Dries van Agt had lots of trouble with the vice-prime minister Joop den Uyl of the labour party. Den Uyl...
was troubled by ideological and personal conflicts, and fell after one year.
After the 1982 elections
Dutch general election, 1982
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on September 8, 1982.-National summary:...
, a CDA/VVD cabinet
Netherlands cabinet Lubbers-1
The first Lubbers cabinet was formed by the right-wing political parties CDA and VVD. The aim of the cabinet was cutting government spending and privatizations. There was much internal resistance of the left-wing, especially the largest mass demonstration in Dutch history, against the placement of...
was supported by a majority in parliament. The new CDA leader, Ruud Lubbers
Ruud Lubbers
Rudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
, set an ambitious reform program in motion, which included budget cuts, reform of the old age and disability pension
Disability pension
A disability pension is a form of pension given to those people who are permanently or temporarily unable to work due to a disability. It is distinct from welfare.- North America :...
s and liberalization
Liberalization
In general, liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy. In some contexts this process or concept is often, but not always, referred to as deregulation...
of public services. Lubbers won the 1986
Dutch general election, 1982
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on September 8, 1982.-National summary:...
and 1989
Dutch general election, 1989
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on September 6, 1989.-National summary:...
elections, and he was not only supported by Christians, but also by non-religious people. In 1989 however, although the CDA had won the elections, they were unable to get a majority with their coalition partner, the VVD. The CDA was forced to cooperate with the PvdA. In the third cabinet Lubbers
Netherlands cabinet Lubbers-3
The third Lubbers cabinet existed from 1989 to 1994, and was formed by a coalition of the Christian-Democrats and the Labour Party . The cabinet was formed with a view to social reform. This was impossible because of the then bad shape of the Dutch economy, which made large reductions in...
, the ambitious reform project was continued, with some adaptations and protests from the PvdA.
1994–present
The 1994 electionsDutch general election, 1994
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on May 3, 1994.-Results:...
were fraught with problems for the CDA: personal conflicts between prime-minister Lubbers and lijsttrekker
Lijsttrekker
Lijsttrekker is a Dutch term for the top candidate of a party on a party list. He or she is almost always the party's political leader. After an election, this person usually leads the party's faction in the States-General, or serves in a senior position in the Cabinet if his party is part of...
Elco Brinkman, a lack of support for the reforms of old age and disability pensions, and the perceived arrogance of the CDA caused a dramatic defeat at the polls. A new government was formed without any Christian Democratic ministers for the first time since 1918. The CDA was confined to the opposition. The party was marred by subsequent internal battles over leadership. The party also reflected on its principals: the party began to orient itself more toward communitarian
Communitarianism
Communitarianism is an ideology that emphasizes the connection between the individual and the community. That community may be the family unit, but it can also be understood in a far wider sense of personal interaction, of geographical location, or of shared history.-Terminology:Though the term...
ideals.
During the tumultuous 2002 elections
Dutch general election, 2002
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on May 15, 2002....
, which saw the murder of Pim Fortuyn
Pim Fortuyn
Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuijn, known as Pim Fortuyn was a Dutch politician, civil servant, sociologist, author and professor who formed his own party, Pim Fortuyn List ....
, many people voted for the CDA, hoping that this party could bring some stability to Dutch politics. The CDA led the Balkenende coalition
First Balkenende cabinet
The first cabinet of Jan Peter Balkenende was in office in the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 16 October of the same year. The term of 87 days was the shortest since the fifth cabinet of Hendrikus Colijn .Following the 15 May 2002...
, which included the VVD and the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF). This cabinet fell due to internal struggles within the LPF. After the 2003 elections
Dutch general election, 2003
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on January 22, 2003.-Background:...
, the Christian Democrats were forced to begin cabinet negotiations with the PvdA. Personal animosity between Balkenende and the leader of the PvdA, Wouter Bos
Wouter Bos
Wouter Jacob Bos is a Dutch management consultant and former politician of the Labour Party . He was Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister in the Cabinet Balkenende IV from February 22, 2007 till February 23, 2010...
, frustrated these negotiations. Balkenende eventually formed a coalition with the conservative and progressive liberals. The coalition proposed an ambitious program of reforms, including more restrictive immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
laws, democratization
Democratization
Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime. It may be the transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic...
of political institutions and reforms of the system of social security
Social security
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...
and labour laws.
After the 2006 elections
Dutch general election, 2006
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on November 22, 2006. And followed the call for new elections after the fall of the Second Balkenende cabinet....
the CDA changed their course radically: they formed a new cabinet still led by Balkenende, but now with the social-democratic PvdA and the social-Christian ChristianUnion
ChristianUnion
The ChristianUnion , abbreviated to CU, is a Dutch Christian democratic political party. A centrist party, the CU's policies combine social conservatism and soft euroscepticism with more centre-left positions on economic, immigration, and environmental issues.Founded in 2000 as a merger of the...
. The cabinet was more progressive, entailing increased government spending funded by higher taxes.
In the 2010 elections
Dutch general election, 2010
The 2010 Dutch general election was held on Wednesday, 9 June 2010. After the fall of the cabinet Balkenende IV on 20 February, Queen Beatrix accepted the resignation of the Labour Party ministers on 23 February...
the CDA lost half of its seats and became only fourth after VVD, PvdA and PVV. Balkenende announced his resignation and stayed prime minister until the formation and inauguration of the Rutte cabinet.
Ideology and issues
The CDA is a Christian democraticChristian Democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
party, but the Bible is only seen as one source of inspiration, for individual members of parliament. The party also has Jewish, Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
members of parliament, and it favors the integration of minorities into Dutch culture.
The party has four main ideals: shared responsibility, stewardship
Stewardship (theology)
Stewardship is a theological belief that humans are responsible for the world, and should take care of it. It can have political implications, such as in Christian Democracy.-Implications:...
, justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
and solidarity. Shared responsibility refers to the way society should be organized: not one organization should control all society, instead the state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
, the market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
, and social institutions, like churches and unions
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
should work together. This is called sphere sovereignty
Sphere sovereignty
In Neo-Calvinism, sphere sovereignty is the concept that each sphere of life has its own distinct responsibilities and authority or competence, and stands equal to other spheres of life. Sphere sovereignty involves the idea of an all encompassing created order, designed and governed by God...
, a core concept of Protestant political philosophy. Furthermore, this refers to the way the state should be organized. Not one level of the state should have total control, instead responsibility should be shared between local
Municipalities of the Netherlands
|All provinces of the Netherlands are divided into municipalities , together 418 , excl. the 3 "special municipalities" of the Caribbean Netherlands.Among the municipalities we can distinguish:...
, provincial
Provinces of the Netherlands
A Dutch province represents the administrative layer in between the national government and the local municipalities, having the responsibility for matters of subnational or regional importance. The government of each province consists of three major parts: the Provinciale Staten which is the...
, national and European government
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. This is called subsidiarity
Subsidiarity
Subsidiarity is an organizing principle that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. The Oxford English Dictionary defines subsidiarity as the idea that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which...
in Catholic political thought. With stewardship the Christian Democrats refer to the way we should treat our planet: the Earth is a gift from God. Therefore we should try to preserve our environment.
Practically, this means the CDA is a centre-right party. However, the party has a considerable center-left wing, that supports eco-friendly politics, a strong pro-European policy and favors centre-left coalitions. The position of the centre-left group within the party has been weakened since the party's participation in the rightist minority cabinet with the VVD (Cabinet Rutte), a cabinet that stronly depends on the parliamentary support of the PVV. CDA politicians that can be considered centrist or centre-left: Jack Biskop
Jack Biskop
Jacobus Johannes Gerardus Maria Biskop is a Dutch psychologist and politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since October 26, 2010, focusing on education.- Biography :Biskop is born in the province of North Brabant and studied psychology at Tilburg...
(MP), Ad Koppejan
Ad Koppejan
Adriaan Jacobus Koppejan is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since November 30, 2006. He focuses on matters of fishery and water policy, administrative burden and corporate social responsibility.- External links :...
(MP), Kathleen Ferrier
Kathleen Ferrier
Kathleen Mary Ferrier CBE was an English contralto who achieved an international reputation as a stage, concert and recording artist, with a repertoire extending from folksong and popular ballads to the classical works of Bach, Brahms, Mahler and Elgar...
(MP; daughter of the late Johan Ferrier
Johan Ferrier
Johan Henri Eliza Ferrier was a Surinamese politician who served as the 1st President of Suriname from November 25, 1975, until August 13, 1980. He was that country's last governor before independence, from 1968 to 1975, and first president after it gained independence from the Netherlands...
, president of Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
1975-1980), Dries van Agt
Dries van Agt
Andreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
(former Prime Minister), Ruud Lubbers
Ruud Lubbers
Rudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
(former Prime Minister) and Herman Wijffels
Herman Wijffels
H.H.F. "Herman" Wijffels is a Dutch economist and politician for the CDA. From 1981 to 1999 he worked for the Rabobank ultimately as chairman of the board of directors and from March 15, 1999 until April 1, 2006, he was chairman of the Social-Economic Council...
(former chairman of the Social Economic Council, former informateur).
It's interesting to know that Maxime Verhagen
Maxime Verhagen
Maxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
, the informal leader of the CDA and current deputy Prime Minister, strongly denies the claim that the CDA is considered a rightist party. Verhagen continues to tell the media that his party is a centrist and moderate party and that the CDA participates in a centre-right coalition (with the VVD as the rightist component and the CDA as the centrist component). However, his colleague in the cabinet, minister of Defence, Hans Hillen
Hans Hillen
Johannes Stefanus Joseph "Hans" Hillen is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He is the current Minister of Defence in the Rutte cabinet.-Early life:Hillen studied sociology at Utrecht University...
, is a strong proponent of a conservative CDA.
- The state deficit should be repaid in one generation, to cope with the effects of the aging populationDemographics of the NetherlandsThis article is about the demographic of the Netherlands, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.-Population size:...
. - The tolerationGedogenIn the context of the law of the Netherlands, the term gedogen refers to not enforcing certain laws. The Dutch government tolerates some offences. Some things like possessing small amounts of marijuana are formally forbidden by law, but the Dutch government abstains from bringing criminal charges...
of soft drugsDrug policy of the NetherlandsThe drug policy of the Netherlands officially has four major objectives:# To prevent recreational drug use and to treat and rehabilitate recreational drug users.# To reduce harm to users....
should come to an end, furthermore the practices of prostitutionProstitution in the NetherlandsProstitution in the Netherlands is legal and regulated. Operating a brothel is also legal. In the last few years, a significant number of brothels and "windows" have been closed because of suspected criminal activity...
, abortionAbortionAbortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and euthanasia should be more limited. - The party is a staunch proponent of European integrationEuropean integrationEuropean integration is the process of industrial, political, legal, economic integration of states wholly or partially in Europe...
and TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's possible EU membership in the future. - The party wants to make schools and hospitals more responsible for their own policy, instead of being regulated by the government.
Prime Ministers
- Jan Peter BalkenendeJan Peter BalkenendeJan Pieter "Jan Peter" Balkenende is a Dutch politician of the party Christian Democratic Appeal .He was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 14 October 2010, having led four coalition governments, cabinets Balkenende I, II, III and IV, none of which served a full...
(2002–2010) - Ruud LubbersRuud LubbersRudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
(1982–1994) - Dries van AgtDries van AgtAndreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
(1977–1982)
Leadership
Party leaderParty leader
In politics, the party leader is the most powerful official within a political party.The party leader is typically responsible for managing the party's relationship with the general public. As such, he or she will take a leading role in developing and communicating party policy, especially election...
- 2010– Maxime VerhagenMaxime VerhagenMaxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
(Acting) - 2001–2010 Jan Peter BalkenendeJan Peter BalkenendeJan Pieter "Jan Peter" Balkenende is a Dutch politician of the party Christian Democratic Appeal .He was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 14 October 2010, having led four coalition governments, cabinets Balkenende I, II, III and IV, none of which served a full...
- 1997–2001 Jaap de Hoop SchefferJaap de Hoop SchefferJakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009....
- 1994–1997 Enneüs HeermaEnneüs HeermaEnneüs Heerma was a Dutch politician.-References:...
- 1994–1994 Elco BrinkmanElco BrinkmanLeendert Cornelis "Elco" Brinkman is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal .-External links:...
- 1982–1994 Ruud LubbersRuud LubbersRudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
- 1976–1982 Dries van AgtDries van AgtAndreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
Chairperson of the parliamentary party in the House of Representatives:
- 2010– Sybrand van Haersma BumaSybrand van Haersma BumaSybrand van Haersma Buma is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since May 23, 2002 and Parliamentary group leader since October 12, 2010...
- 2010–2010 Maxime VerhagenMaxime VerhagenMaxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
- 2007–2010 Pieter van GeelPieter van GeelPetrus Leonardus Bastiaan Antonius van Geel is a Dutch politician for the CDA.He was State Secretary of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment from 2002 until 2007 and a member of the House of Representatives in 2002, 2003 and from 2006 till 2010.- External links : , Parlement & Politiek...
- 2002–2007 Maxime VerhagenMaxime VerhagenMaxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
- 2001–2002 Jan Peter BalkenendeJan Peter BalkenendeJan Pieter "Jan Peter" Balkenende is a Dutch politician of the party Christian Democratic Appeal .He was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 14 October 2010, having led four coalition governments, cabinets Balkenende I, II, III and IV, none of which served a full...
- 1997–2001 Jaap de Hoop SchefferJaap de Hoop SchefferJakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009....
- 1994–1997 Enneüs HeermaEnneüs HeermaEnneüs Heerma was a Dutch politician.-References:...
- 1989–1994 Elco BrinkmanElco BrinkmanLeendert Cornelis "Elco" Brinkman is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal .-External links:...
- 1982–1989 Bert de VriesBert de VriesBerend de Vries is a Dutch former politician.-References:* at www.parlement.com...
- 1978–1982 Ruud LubbersRuud LubbersRudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
- 1977–1978 Wim Aantjes
Lijsttrekker
Lijsttrekker
Lijsttrekker is a Dutch term for the top candidate of a party on a party list. He or she is almost always the party's political leader. After an election, this person usually leads the party's faction in the States-General, or serves in a senior position in the Cabinet if his party is part of...
- 2010 Jan Peter BalkenendeJan Peter BalkenendeJan Pieter "Jan Peter" Balkenende is a Dutch politician of the party Christian Democratic Appeal .He was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 14 October 2010, having led four coalition governments, cabinets Balkenende I, II, III and IV, none of which served a full...
- 2006 Jan Peter Balkenende
- 2003 Jan Peter Balkenende
- 2002 Jan Peter Balkenende
- 1998 Jaap de Hoop SchefferJaap de Hoop SchefferJakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009....
- 1994 Elco BrinkmanElco BrinkmanLeendert Cornelis "Elco" Brinkman is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal .-External links:...
- 1989 Ruud LubbersRuud LubbersRudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from November 4, 1982 until August 22, 1994....
- 1986 Ruud Lubbers
- 1982 Dries van AgtDries van AgtAndreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
- 1981 Dries van Agt
- 1977 Dries van Agt
Current members
Current members of the House of Representatives since the general election of 2010Dutch general election, 2010
The 2010 Dutch general election was held on Wednesday, 9 June 2010. After the fall of the cabinet Balkenende IV on 20 February, Queen Beatrix accepted the resignation of the Labour Party ministers on 23 February...
:
- Sybrand van Haersma BumaSybrand van Haersma BumaSybrand van Haersma Buma is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since May 23, 2002 and Parliamentary group leader since October 12, 2010...
, Parliamentary group leaderParliamentary group leaderThe leader or chairman of a parliamentary group holds an influential political post in a parliamentary system with strong party discipline... - Jack BiskopJack BiskopJacobus Johannes Gerardus Maria Biskop is a Dutch psychologist and politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since October 26, 2010, focusing on education.- Biography :Biskop is born in the province of North Brabant and studied psychology at Tilburg...
- Elly Blanksma-van den HeuvelElly Blanksma-van den HeuvelPetronella Johanna Maria Godefrida Blanksma-van den Heuvel is a Dutch politician and former banking manager...
- Bas Jan van BochoveBas Jan van BochoveBastiaan Jan van Bochove is a Dutch politician and former educator. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since October 26, 2010. He focuses on matters of housing, Kingdom relations and education.- External links :...
- Hanke Bruins SlotHanke Bruins SlotHanke Gerdina Johannette Bruins Slot is a Dutch politician and former officer and hockey player. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since June 17, 2010...
- Coşkun ÇörüzCoşkun ÇörüzCoşkun Çörüz is a Dutch politician of Turkish descent. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since May 29, 2001. He focuses on matters of security policy, judiciary, police, international law and human rights.Çörüz is born in the Turkish district Salıpazarı...
- Kathleen FerrierKathleen Ferrier (politician)Kathleen Gertrud Ferrier is a Dutch politician of Surinamese descent and former development aid worker. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since May 23, 2002...
- Maarten HaverkampMaarten HaverkampMaarten Cornelis Haverkamp is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he was an MP from July 26, 2002 to June 17, 2010 and is currently an MP since October 26, 2010. He focuses on matters of mass media policy, aviation and public transport.- External links :...
- Eddy van HijumEddy van HijumYde Johan van Hijum is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since September 2, 2003. He focuses on matters of social security, income policy, dismissal law, labor participation policy and day care.- References : - External links :...
- Raymond KnopsRaymond KnopsRaymond Willem Knops is a Dutch politician and former officer. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he was an MP from October 11, 2005 to November 30, 2006, from March 1, 2007 to June 17, 2010 and is currently an MP since September 7, 2010, succeeding Ab Klink...
- Ger KoopmansGer KoopmansGerardus Peter Jan Koopmans is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since May 23, 2002...
- Ad KoppejanAd KoppejanAdriaan Jacobus Koppejan is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since November 30, 2006. He focuses on matters of fishery and water policy, administrative burden and corporate social responsibility.- External links :...
- Pieter OmtzigtPieter OmtzigtPieter Herman Omtzigt is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he was an MP from June 3, 2003 to June 17, 2010 and is currently an MP since October 26, 2010. He focuses on matters of taxes, pensions and additions.- External links :...
- Henk Jan OrmelHenk Jan OrmelHendrik Jan Ormel is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since May 23, 2002. He focuses on matters of foreign policy, the European Union, biotechnology and animal welfare...
- Sander de RouweSander de RouweSander de Rouwe is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal he has been an MP since 1 March 2007. He focuses on matters of traffic, transport, higher and science education, inland navigation and spatial planning.- External links :...
- Margreeth SmildeMargreeth SmildeMargaretha Charlotte Adelheid Smilde is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she was an MP from July 26, 2002 to January 30, 2003, from June 3, 2003 to November 30, 2006 and is currently an MP since January 23, 2008...
- Mirjam SterkMirjam SterkWillemina Roziena Catharina Sterk is a Dutch politician, Christian minister and former civil servant, RTV editor and educator. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since May 23, 2002...
- Madeleine van ToorenburgMadeleine van ToorenburgMadeleine Melisande Ermens-van Toorenburg is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since March 1, 2007...
- Sabine UitslagSabine UitslagAlbertje Sabine Uitslag is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since September 3, 2008...
- Gerda VerburgGerda VerburgGerritje Verburg is a Dutch diplomat and former politician and trade union leader. Since July 1, 2011 she is Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, succeeding former CDA politician Agnes van Ardenne...
- Marieke van der WerfMarieke van der WerfMaria Catharina Ida van der Werf is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal she has been an MP since January 11, 2011. She focuses on matters of sustainable development and cultural policy.- References : - External links :...
Seats
Seats in the House of Representatives:- 2010 – 21
- 2006 – 41
- 2003 – 44
- 2002 – 43
- 1998 – 29
- 1994 – 34
- 1989 – 54
- 1986 – 54
- 1982 – 45
- 1981 – 44
- 1977 – 48
- 1972 – 49 ... (KVP 27, ARP 14, CHU 7)
- 1971 – 58 ... (KVP 35, ARP 13, CHU 10)
- 1967 – 70 ... (KVP 43, ARP 15, CHU 12)
- 1963 – 76 ... (KVP 50, ARP 13, CHU 13)
- 1959 – 75 ... (KVP 49, ARP 14, CHU 12)
- 1956 – 77 ... (KVP 49, ARP 15, CHU 13)
Current members
Current members of the Senate since the election of 2011Dutch Senate election, 2011
The elections of the Dutch Senate of 2011 were held on 23 May 2011, following the provincial elections on 2 March 2011. The 566 members of the twelve States-Provincial elected the 75 Senate members...
:
- Elco BrinkmanElco BrinkmanLeendert Cornelis "Elco" Brinkman is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal .-External links:...
, Senate group leaderParliamentary group leaderThe leader or chairman of a parliamentary group holds an influential political post in a parliamentary system with strong party discipline... - Sophie van Bijsterveld
- Peter Essers
- Anne Flierman
- Hans Franken
- Wopke Hoekstra
- René van der LindenRené van der LindenPierre René Hubert Marie van der Linden is a Member of the Senate of the Netherlands. He was President of the Dutch Senate from 2009 to 2011, and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 2005 to 2008....
- Pia Lokin-Sassen
- Maria MartensMaria MartensMaria Martens is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament. She is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal, a member of the bureau of the EPP-ED group in the European Parliament, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Development.She is also a substitute for the...
- Gerrit Terpstra
- Greetje de Vries-Leggedoor
Seats
Seats in the Senate:- 2011 – 11
- 2007 – 21
- 2003 – 23
- 1999 – 20
- 1995 – 19
- 1991 – 27
- 1987 – 26
- 1983 – 26
- 1981 – 28
- 1980 – 27
- 1977 – 24
- 1974 – 29 ... (KVP 16, ARP 6, CHU 7)
- 1971 – 36 ... (KVP 22, ARP 7, CHU 7)
- 1969 – 39 ... (KVP 24, ARP 7, CHU 8)
- 1966 – 39 ... (KVP 25, ARP 7, CHU 7)
- 1963 – 40 ... (KVP 26, ARP 7, CHU 7)
- 1959 – 42 ... (KVP 26, ARP 8, CHU 8)
- 1956 – 41 ... (KVP 25, ARP 8, CHU 8)
Current members
Current members of the European ParliamentEuropean Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
since the election of 2009
European Parliament election, 2009 (Netherlands)
The European Parliament election of 2009 in the Netherlands was the election of the delegation from the Netherlands to the European Parliament in 2009 and took place on June 4, 2009. Seventeen parties competed in a D'Hondt type election for 25 seats...
:
- Wim van de CampWim van de CampWilhelmus Gerardus Johannes Maria van de Camp is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . Since July 14, 2009 he has been a Member of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the European Parliament, representing the European...
, leader of the CDA delegation - Esther de LangeEsther de LangeEsther de Lange is a Dutch politician for the Christian Democratic Appeal .-References:...
- Lambert van NistelrooijLambert van NistelrooijLambert van Nistelrooij is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal, which is part of the European People's Party, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development.He is also a substitute for the Committee...
- Ria Oomen-RuijtenRia Oomen-RuijtenRia Oomen-Ruijten is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament. She is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal, a member of the bureau of the EPP-ED group, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.She is also a substitute for the Committee...
- Corien Wortmann-KoolCorien Wortmann-KoolCorien Wortmann-Kool is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament. She is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal, which is part of the European People's Party, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism and its Committee on Women's Rights and...
Seats
Seats in the European Parliament:- 2009 – 5
- 2004 – 7
- 1999 – 9
- 1994 – 10
- 1989 – 10
- 1984 – 8
- 1979 – 10
Local and provincial government
By far, the CDA has the most members of municipal and provincial councils in the Netherlands. Furthermore, it cooperates in most municipal and provincial governments.Electorate
The CDA is mainly supported by religious voters, both Catholics and Protestants. These tend to live in rural areas and tend to be elderly. In some periods, however, the CDA has functioned as a centre party, attracting people from all classes and religions.Geographically, the CDA is particularly strong in the provinces of North Brabant
North Brabant
North Brabant , sometimes called Brabant, is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south of the country, bordered by Belgium in the south, the Meuse River in the north, Limburg in the east and Zeeland in the west.- History :...
, Limburg
Limburg (Netherlands)
Limburg is the southernmost of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. It is located in the southeastern part of the country and bordered by the province of Gelderland to the north, Germany to the east, Belgium to the south and part of the west, andthe Dutch province of North Brabant partly to...
and Overijssel
Overijssel
Overijssel is a province of the Netherlands in the central eastern part of the country. The region has a NUTS classification of NL21. The province's name means "Lands across river IJssel". The capital city of Overijssel is Zwolle and the largest city is Enschede...
and in the Veluwe
Veluwe
The Veluwe is a forest-rich ridge of hills in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. The Veluwe features many different landscapes including woodland, heath, some small lakes and Europe's largest sand drifts....
and the Westland areas. In the 2006 elections the CDA received the highest percentage of votes in the municipality of Tubbergen
Tubbergen
-Population centres:Albergen, Fleringen, Geesteren, Haarle, Harbrinkhoek, Hezingen, Langeveen, Mander, Manderveen, Mariaparochie, Reutum, Tubbergen and Vasse.-Religion:...
, Overijssel (66,59% of the vote). The CDA is weaker in the four major cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht) and in Groningen
Groningen (province)
Groningen [] is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands. In the east it borders the German state of Niedersachsen , in the south Drenthe, in the west Friesland and in the north the Wadden Sea...
and Drenthe
Drenthe
Drenthe is a province of the Netherlands, located in the north-east of the country. The capital city is Assen. It is bordered by Overijssel to the south, Friesland to the west, Groningen to the north, and Germany to the east.-History:Drenthe, unlike many other parts of the Netherlands, has been a...
.
Organization
The CDA has 69 560 members in 520 municipals branches. Its current chairperson is Ruth Peetoom.Linked organizations
The youth movement of the CDA is the Christian-Democratic Youth Appeal (CDJA, Christen-Democratische Jongeren Appèl ). The CDA publishes the CDA-magazine monthly, and its scientific bureau publishes the Christian Democratic Explorations (Christen-Democratische Verkenningen).As an effect of pillarization, the CDA still has many personal and ideological ties with religious organizations, such as the broadcasting societies KRO
KRO
KRO, or Katholieke Radio Omroep , is a Dutch public broadcasting organization founded on 23 April 1925. Broadly Catholic in its spiritual outlook, KRO broadcasts the bulk of its television output on the Nederland 1 channel. KRO is also responsible for managing broadcasts made by the Catholic Church...
and NCRV
NCRV
NCRV is a public radio and television broadcaster in the Netherlands, mostly transmitting on Nederland 1 and Nederland 2....
, the paper Trouw
Trouw
Trouw is a Dutch daily newspaper. "Trouw" is a Dutch word meaning "fidelity", "loyalty", or "allegiance", and is cognate with the English adjective "true"...
, the employers organizations NCW
VNO-NCW
VNO-NCW is a Dutch employers' federation.-History:VNO-NCW was founded in 1996 as fusion of the Christian-democratic Nederlands Christelijk Werkgeversverbond , which was founded as fusion of the Protestant PCW and the Catholic NKW, and the liberal Verbond van Nederlandse Ondernemingen...
and the union CNV
Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond
The Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond is a federation of trade unions of the Netherlands.-History:...
.
The CDA participates in the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy is a democracy assistance organisation of political parties in the Netherlands for political parties in young democracies...
, a democracy assistance organisation of seven Dutch political parties.
International organizations
The CDA is a member of the European People’s Party and the Centrist Democrat InternationalCentrist Democrat International
The Centrist Democrat International was until 2001 the Christian Democrat International and before that the Christian Democrat and People's Parties International...
. Within the EPP the CDA belongs to those parties which least favour a cooperation with the conservatives.
International comparison
As a large Christian democratic party, the CDA is comparable to other European Christian democratic parties such as Germany's Christian Democratic UnionChristian Democratic Union (Germany)
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
(although it's more moderate). It is the Netherlands' third largest right-wing party (after the VVD and the PVV), but it is more centrist than the British Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.