Reformist Movement
The Reformist Movement[5][6] (French: Mouvement Réformateur, pronounced [muvmɑ̃ ʁefɔʁmatœʁ], MR) is a liberal[7][8][9] French-speaking political party in Belgium. which includes social-liberal[10][11][12] and conservative-liberal factions.[13][14] The MR is one of the oldest party on the European continent[15].
Since October 2014, the party has provided two prime ministers: Charles Michel and Sophie Wilmès. He has been a member of every federal government since the 2000s. At the federated entities level, the MR was in charged of Wallonia from 2017 to 2019 with Willy Borsus as Minister-President of Wallonia. It is currently in charge of the French community with Pierre-Yves Jeholet as Minister-President of the French community.
The MR emerged victorious from the 2024 elections, becoming the leading French-speaking party. In Wallonia, the party came out on top with 29.6% of the vote. In Brussels, the MR was also number one with 25,9% of the vote. Just a few days after the elections, the MR announced working closely with Les Engagés to quickly form governments in the Walloon Region and the French community.[16] Having a majority on the French-speaking side of the Federal parliament, they joined forces to work on the formation of a new belgian governement[17].
The MR is an alliance between three French-speaking and one German-speaking liberal parties. The Liberal Reformist Party (PRL) and the Francophone Democratic Federalists (FDF) started the alliance in 1993, and were joined in 1998 by the Citizens' Movement for Change (MCC). The alliance was then known as the PRL-FDF-MCC federation. The alliance became the MR during a congress in 2002, where the German-speaking liberal party, the Party for Freedom and Progress joined as well.[18] The label PRL is no longer used, and the three other parties still use their own names. The MR is a member of Liberal International and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party. However, on 25 September 2011, the FDF decided to leave the coalition. They did not agree with the manner in which president Charles Michel defended the rights of the French-speaking people in the agreement concerning the splitting of the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde district, during the 2010–11 Belgian government formation.[19]
Ideology and policies
Over the years, the MR has always oscillated between ideological markers closer to conservative liberalism or social liberalism. Its fundamental principles remain however the same through time, such as defending civil liberties, free market, entrepreunarial freedom or equal opportunities.
During Georges-Louis Bouchez's tenure as party president, it has been said that the party has shifted more to the right.[20] Bouchez has for example often publicly pointed out some excesses of the woke movement[21].
On its current platform, the party advocates higher revenues through lower taxes; time-limited unemployment benefits; life extension of the most recent nuclear reactors; greater investment in police, justice and defense; less government and state neutrality.[22] MR is "belgicain", in favor of Belgian unity and a strong federal state[23].
The MR is also a strong supporter of the European Union and NATO.[24] It has always defended support, including military aid, for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022. In 2024, the MR is the only party from De Croo Government to oppose to Belgium recognizing the State of Palestine[25].
Presidents
- 2002–2003: Daniel Ducarme
- 2003–2004: Antoine Duquesne
- 2004–2011: Didier Reynders
- 2011–2014: Charles Michel
- 2014–2019: Olivier Chastel
- 2019: Charles Michel
- 2019–present: Georges-Louis Bouchez
Representation in EU Institutions
In the European Parliament, Mouvement Réformateur sits in the Renew Europe group with three MEPs: Sophie Wilmès, Olivier Chastel and Benoit Cassart.
In the European Committee of the Regions, Mouvement Réformateur sits in the Renew Europe CoR group, with one full and one alternate member for the 2020-2025 mandate.[26][27] Willy Borsus is second vice-president of the Renew Europe CoR Group.[28]
Electoral results
Chamber of Representatives
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | Government |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 623,250 | 10.3 | 19 / 150
|
Opposition | |
1999 | 630,219 | 10.1 | 18 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2003 | 748,954 | 11.4 | 24 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2007 | 835,073 | 12.5 | 23 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2010 | 605,617 | 9.3 | 18 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2014 | 650,260 | 9.6 | 20 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2019 | 512,825 | 7.6 | 14 / 150
|
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Coalition |
2024 | 716,934 | 10.3 | 20 / 150
|
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TBA |
Senate
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 672,798 | 11.2 | 5 / 40
|
|
1999 | 654,961 | 10.6 | 5 / 40
|
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2003 | 795,757 | 12.2 | 5 / 40
|
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2007 | 815,755 | 12.3 | 6 / 40
|
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2010 | 599,618 | 9.3 | 4 / 40
|
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Regional
Brussels Parliament
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | Government | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F.E.C. | Overall | |||||
1989 | 83,011 | 18.9 (#2) | 15 / 75
|
Opposition | ||
1995 | 144,478 | 35.0 (#1) | 28 / 75
|
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Coalition | |
1999 | 146,845 | 40.1 (#1) | 34.4 (#1) | 27 / 75
|
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Coalition |
2004 | 127,122 | 32.5 (#2) | 28.0 (#2) | 25 / 89
|
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Opposition |
2009 | 121,905 | 29.8 (#1) | 26.5 (#1) | 24 / 89
|
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Opposition |
2014 | 94,227 | 23.0 (#2) | 20.4 (#2) | 18 / 89
|
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Opposition |
2019 | 65,502 | 16.9 (#3) | 14.3 (#3) | 13 / 89
|
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Opposition |
2024 | 101,157 | 26.0 (#1) | 20 / 89
|
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TBA |
Walloon Parliament
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | Government |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 447,542 | 23.7 (#2) | 19 / 75
|
Opposition | |
1999 | 470,454 | 24.7 (#2) | 21 / 75
|
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Coalition |
2004 | 478,999 | 24.3 (#2) | 20 / 75
|
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Opposition |
2009 | 469,792 | 23.1 (#2) | 19 / 75
|
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Opposition |
2014 | 546,363 | 26.7 (#2) | 25 / 75
|
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Opposition |
2019 | 435,878 | 21.4 (#2) | 20 / 75
|
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Coalition |
2024 | 612.010 | 29.1 (#1) | 26 / 75
|
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Coalition |
European Parliament
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
F.E.C. | Overall | ||||
1979 | 372,904 | 17.8 (#4) | 6.8 | 2 / 24
|
|
1984 | 540,610 | 24.1 (#2) | 3 / 24
|
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1989 | 423,479 | 18.9 (#2) | 7.2 | 2 / 24
|
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1994 | 541,724 | 24.2 (#2) | 3 / 25
|
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1999 | 624,445 | 27.0 (#1) | 10.0 | 3 / 25
|
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2004 | 671,422 | 27.6 (#2) | 10.3 | 3 / 24
|
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2009 | 640,092 | 26.0 (#2) | 9.7 | 2 / 22
|
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2014 | 661,332 | 27.1 (#2) | 9.9 | 3 / 21
|
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2019 | 470,654 | 19.3 (#3) | 7.1 | 2 / 21
|
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2024 | 900,413 | 34.9 (#1) | 12.7 | 3 / 22
|
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Notable figures
- Sophie Wilmès
- Charles Michel
- Didier Reynders
- Louis Michel
- Pierre-Yves Jeholet
- Willy Borsus
- Christine Defraigne
- Daniel Ducarme
- Antoine Duquesne
- Jean Gol
- Sabine Laruelle
- Jacques Simonet
- Gérard Deprez
See also
- Liberalism
- Liberalism in Belgium
- Contributions to liberal theory
- Liberalism worldwide
- Liberal Archive
References
- ^ Josep M. Colomer (2008). Comparative European Politics. Taylor & Francis. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-203-94609-1. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ Rik Pinxten (2006). "Neo-nationalism and Democracy in Belgium: On understanding the contexts of neo-communitarianism". In André Gingrich; Marcus Banks (eds.). Neo-nationalism in Europe and Beyond: Perspectives from Social Anthropology. Berghahn Books. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-84545-190-5.
- ^ [1][2]
- ^ "Politieke fracties". Benelux Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ Walsh, David (2 October 2020). "Belgium: New seven-party coalition government officially sworn in". Euronews. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Birnbaum, Michael (20 December 2019). "Without a government for a year, Belgium shows what happens to politics without politicians". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Wallonia/Belgium". Parties and Elections in Europe.
- ^ Almeida, Dimitri. "Liberal Parties and European Integration" (PDF).
- ^ Colin Hay; Anand Menon (18 January 2007). European Politics. Oxford University Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-19-928428-3.
- ^ Chardon, Frédéric. "Des libéraux veulent créer un courant progressiste au MR: avec Christine Defraigne à leur tête?". La Libre.be (in French). Retrieved 2022-01-02.
- ^ "RLP, le nouveau «Rassemblement des libéraux progressistes» au sein du MR". Le Soir (in French). 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
- ^ Dimitri Almeida (2012). The Impact of European Integration on Political Parties: Beyond the Permissive Consensus. Routledge. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-415-69374-5.
- ^ Hans Slomp (30 September 2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 465. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ Peter Starke; Alexandra Kaasch; Franca Van Hooren (7 May 2013). The Welfare State as Crisis Manager: Explaining the Diversity of Policy Responses to Economic Crisis. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 192. ISBN 978-1-137-31484-0.
- ^ "MR and Open VLD celebrate 175 years of liberalism". ALDE Party. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ Times, The Brussels. "'A collaboration, not a fusion': MR and Les Engagés will work together in all governments". www.brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ Times, The Brussels. "What's the latest on Belgium's Federal Government formation?". www.brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Le Mouvement Réformateur: Statuts" (PDF) (in French). The Reformist Movement. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
- ^ "FDF almost unanimously votes in favour of split with MR" (in Dutch). deredactie.be. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
- ^ Chini, Maïthé; Taylor, Lukas (January 11, 2023). "A beginner's guide to Belgium's political parties". The Brussels Times. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ Dejace, Thibault (2023-03-06). "Quand le MR et la N-VA s'attaquent au "wokisme"". Moustique (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Avec le MR, l'avenir s'éclaire". MR (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Georges-Louis Bouchez: «Je suis belgicain et non, ce n'est pas ringard!»". sudinfo.be (in French). 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Projet - MR". Mr.be. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "Reconnaissance de la Palestine: pourquoi les libéraux sont-ils les seuls à s'y opposer?". RTL Info (in French). 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Members Page CoR".
- ^ "Members Page CoR".
- ^ "Bureau". Renew Europe CoR. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
External links
Media related to Mouvement Réformateur at Wikimedia Commons
- Conservative liberal parties
- Classical liberal parties
- Francophone political parties in Belgium
- Full member parties of the Liberal International
- Liberal parties in Belgium
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party member parties
- Political parties established in 2002
- 2002 establishments in Belgium
- Pro-European political parties in Belgium