1950 Belgian general election

General elections were held in Belgium on 4 June 1950.[1] The result was a victory for the Christian Social Party, which won 108 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 54 of the 106 seats in the Senate.[2] Voter turnout was 92.6%.[3] This election was the last one in Belgian history where a single party achieved an absolute majority. Elections for the nine provincial councils were also held.

1950 Belgian general election

4 June 1950

212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Jean Duvieusart Max Buset Roger Motz
Party Christian Social Socialist Liberal
Leader since Candidate for PM 1945 1945
Last election 105 seats, 43.55% 66 seats, 29.76% 29 seats, 15.25%
Seats won 108 73 20
Seat change Increase 3 Increase 7 Decrease 9
Popular vote 2,356,608 1,705,781 556,102
Percentage 47.68% 34.51% 11.25%
Swing Increase 4.13% Increase 4.76% Decrease 4.00%

  Fourth party Fifth party
 
Leader Edgard Lalmand N/A
Party PVDA-PTB LSK
Leader since 1943 N/A
Last election 12 seats, 7.49% New
Seats won 7 4
Seat change Decrease 5 New
Popular vote 234,541 87,252
Percentage 4.75% 1.77%
Swing Decrease 2.74% New

Chamber seat distribution by constituency

Government before election

G. Eyskens I
CVP/PSC-Lib

Government after election

Duvieusart
Christian Social

The elections took place a few months after the divisive referendum on returning King Leopold III from exile and restoring his monarchial duties (the Royal Question). Following the election, a single-party Catholic government was formed with Jean Duvieusart as Prime Minister, who oversaw the return of King Leopold III, but who was quickly succeeded by Joseph Pholien as Prime Minister, following strikes and protests due to Leopold's return, which ultimately led to his abdication.

Results

Chamber of Deputies

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian Social Party2,356,60847.68108+3
Belgian Socialist Party1,705,78134.5173+7
Liberal Party556,10211.2520–9
Communist Party of Belgium234,5414.757–5
Liberal–Socialist Kartels87,2521.774+4
Cosmocraten1,5350.0300
Belgian Patriotic Party6560.0100
Independents3320.0100
Total4,942,807100.002120
Valid votes4,942,80794.70
Invalid/blank votes276,4715.30
Total votes5,219,278100.00
Registered voters/turnout5,635,45292.62
Source: Belgian Elections

Senate

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian Social Party2,210,71247.19540
Belgian Socialist Party1,631,36834.8237+4
Liberal Party526,57511.2410–4
Communist Party of Belgium229,0934.893–2
Liberal–Socialist Kartels86,8011.852+2
Independents2620.0100
Total4,684,811100.001060
Valid votes4,684,81194.34
Invalid/blank votes280,8545.66
Total votes4,965,665100.00
Registered voters/turnout5,635,45288.11
Source: Belgian Elections

References

  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p289 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. Nohlen & Stöver, pp 309–311
  3. Nohlen & Stöver, p291
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