Groen (political party)

{{Multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=October 2016}} {{Update|date=November 2014}} }} {{short description|Flemish political party in Belgium}} {{Infobox political party | logo_size = 150 | colorcode = {{Political party data|color}} | name = Green | native_name = Groen | logo = Groen logo 2022.svg | leader1_title = President | leader1_name = Aimen Horch | foundation = {{start date and age|1976}} | headquarters = Van Orleystraat 5-11, 1000 Brussel, Belgium | youth_wing = Young Green | membership_year = 2018 | membership = {{increase}} 10,000<ref>{{cite news|url=http://deredactie.be/permalink/1.2133806|title= Open VLD heeft de meeste leden en steekt CD&V voorbij|publisher=deredactie.be|date=30 October 2014}}</ref> | ideology = Green politics<ref name="Nordsieck">{{cite web|first=Wolfram|last=Nordsieck|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/flanders.html|title=Flanders/Belgium|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|date=2019|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref> | position = Centre-left | international = Global Greens | european = European Green Party | europarl = The Greens–European Free Alliance | regional = Socialists, Greens and Democrats<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beneluxparl.eu/nl/politieke-fracties/ |title= Politieke fracties |website=Benelux Parliament |language=nl |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref> | affiliation1_title = Francophone counterpart | affiliation1 = Ecolo <!-- Values obtained from Wikidata; to edit, see https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q513521 --> | seats1_title = Chamber of Representatives | seats1 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house|constituency=89}}(Dutch language group) | seats2_title = Senate | seats2 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-upper-house|constituency=35}}(Flemish seats) | seats3_title = Flemish Parliament | seats3 = {{Composition bar|14|124|hex={{party color|Green (political party)}}}} | seats4_title = Brussels Parliament | seats4 = {{Composition bar|4|17|hex={{party color|Green (political party)}}}}(Flemish seats) | seats5_title = European Parliament | seats5 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|EP|constituency=12}}(Flemish seats) | seats6_title = Flemish Provincial Councils | seats6 = {{Composition bar|13|175|hex={{party color|Green (political party)}}}} | seats7_title = Mayors | seats7 = {{Composition bar|1|285|hex={{party color|Green (political party)}}}} | colours = {{Color box|{{party color|Green (political party)}}|border=darkgray}} Teal | website = {{Political party data|website}} | country = Belgium }} {{Green politics sidebar}} '''Groen''' ({{IPA|nl|ɣrun||Nl-Groen.ogg}}; {{literal translation|Green}}), founded as '''Agalev''', is a green<ref name="Nordsieck" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bale |first=Tim |title=Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis |date=2021 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |others=Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser |isbn=978-1-009-00686-6 |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |pages=36 |oclc=1256593260}}</ref> Flemish political party in Belgium. The main pillars of the party are social justice, human rights, and ecologism.<ref name="GreenVRT">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-28 |title=Elections 24: what do the Flemish ecologists of Groen stand for? |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2024/04/24/what-do-the-flemish-ecologists-of-groen-stand-for/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=vrtnws.be |language=en}}</ref> Its French-speaking equivalent is Ecolo; the two parties maintain close relations with each other.

==History==

=== Agalev === The party's origins can be traced to the early 1970s, specifically the village of Viersel near Antwerp, where Luc Versteylen, a Jesuit priest, led a youth group. Through this he came to hear about the stress children were suffering from due to an increasingly competitive education system. From this, he and his co-thinkers developed a critique of consumerism inspired by the values of early Christianity as an alternative to the modern Catholic church, rejecting competition and consumption in favour of peace, frugality and community. This critique became central to Anders Gaan Leven (meaning "to go and live differently", a Flemish environmental movement. The movement then established Agalev, a working group formed to contest elections, which eventually became Groen.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parkin |first1=Sara |author-link1=Sara Parkin|year=1989|title=Green Parties: an International Guide|publication-place=London |publisher=Heretic Books |page=42|isbn=0-946097-27-5}}</ref><ref name="kamer20151029">{{Cite web |date=2015-10-29 |title=Integraal verslag van de plenaire vergadering op donderdag 29 okt 2015 |url=https://www.dekamer.be/doc/PCRI/pdf/54/ip079.pdf |publisher=Belgische Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigers |at=Rouwhulde Wilfried Van Durme (één van de oprichters van Agalev) |language=nl, fr}}</ref>

Agalev first stood candidates in the 1976 local elections in Antwerp Province, before running across Flanders in the 1978 general election, scoring 0.1 percent of all votes in Belgium. The party's popularity gradually grew, taking 2.33 percent of the Flemish vote in the first European Parliament elections the following year, before making a breakthrough in the 1981 federal election, where they first entered Parliament with two Representatives and a Senator. In the simultaneous provincial elections they took seven seats, with four in Antwerp, two in East Flanders and one in West Flanders. Following this, Agalev officially became a separate entity from Anders Gaan Leven in March 1982, though the two organisations maintained close ties. That year the party won 44 seats in 64 communes in municipal elections, electing 28 councillors in Antwerp, seven apiece in East Flanders and the Province of Brabant, and two in West Flanders and obtaining an average of 5.6 percent of the vote where it stood. The party also co-operated with other ecologists to elect another 12 Agalev endorsed councillors. In the 1984 European elections Paul Staes was elected with 7.08 percent of the vote in Flanders and 9.25 percent of the vote in Antwerp Province. In the 1985 Belgian general election scored 6.3 percent of the Flemish vote, electing four Representatives and three Senators.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parkin |first1=Sara |author-link1=Sara Parkin|year=1989|title=Green Parties: an International Guide|publication-place=London |publisher=Heretic Books |page=43|isbn=0-946097-27-5}}</ref>

In the 1987 Belgian general election, the party won 4.5 percent and 4.9 percent of Belgian votes to the Chamber of Representatives and Senate respectively, electing six members of the former and five of the latter.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parkin |first1=Sara |author-link1=Sara Parkin|year=1989|title=Green Parties: an International Guide|publication-place=London |publisher=Heretic Books |page=45|isbn=0-946097-27-5}}</ref> During the eighties, the party was known for being against nuclear weapons, and for being pro-Europe.<ref name="GreenVRT"/><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2002-10-07 |title=Belgium {{!}}{{!}} Bomspotting. 2,000 Protest Against Nuclear Weapons |url=https://internationalsocialist.net/en/2002/10/belgium |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=International Socialist Alternative |language=en}}</ref> According to Sara Parkin, much credit for Agalev's early steady progress and absence of internal conflict has been given to the party's political secretary Leo Cox, who was able to balance the demands of different factions within the party whilst also being able to successfully respond to external political developments.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parkin |first1=Sara |author-link1=Sara Parkin|year=1989|title=Green Parties: an International Guide|publication-place=London |publisher=Heretic Books |page=44|isbn=0-946097-27-5}}</ref>

In 1992, Agalev was asked to support a constitutional change called the Sint-Michiels agreement, which would make Belgium a federation. This change required a two-third majority, so the majority needed to convince some parties of the opposition to proceed. Both Agalev and Ecolo agreed, in exchange for a tax on bottles, the first ecotax in Belgium. However, after the constitutional change was voted in, the ecotax was cancelled and replaced by a watered-down concept.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Groen |url=https://encyclopedievlaamsebeweging.be/nl/groen |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=Encyclopedie Vlaamse Beweging |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Misnoegde brief van de bever aan De Wever |trans-title=displeased letter of the beaver to De Wever |url=https://www.mo.be/opinie/misnoegde-brief-van-de-bever-aan-de-wever |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=MO* Magazine |language=nl}}</ref>

In the elections of 1999, Agalev scored 7% federally and 11% regionally (in Flanders). The Dioxin affair, a scandal surrounding dioxins in for-consumption chickens just before the elections, played an important role in the Greens' performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Het falen van Agalev bij de verkiezingen van 18 mei 2003 |trans-title=Agalevs failure in the 18 May 2003 elections |url=https://www.sampol.be/2003/09/het-falen-van-agalev-bij-de-verkiezingen-van-18-mei-2003 |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=www.sampol.be |language=nl}}</ref> The Greens joined the first Verhofstadt government as part of the "purple-green" federal coalition from 12 July 1999 until 18 May 2003. Representing Agalev in this federal government, Magda Aelvoet was Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Public Health and the Environment. She tabled legislation on gay marriage, making Belgium the second country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Belgium celebrates 20 years of same-sex marriage |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/361629/belgium-celebrates-20-years-of-same-sex-marriage |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=The Brussels Times |language=en}}</ref> Within the same legislature, Magda Aelvoet left her position due to her opposition of a Belgian arms delivery to Nepal, and was succeeded by fellow party member Jef Tavernier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 Aug 2002 |title=Belgium arms sale row deepens |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2220116.stm |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Also following the elections of 1999, the party joined the Flemish Government, which was composed of the same parties. Agalev supplied two ministers: Mieke Vogels became responsible for Wellbeing, Health and Equal opportunities, and Vera Dua for Agriculture and Environment.

=== Renaming to Groen! (2003) ===

In the federal elections of 2003, Agalev scored less than 5% and lost all their seats (on the federal level). The next day, Jos Geysels resigned as party leader.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2003 |title=Jos Geysels neemt ontslag als politiek secretaris Agalev |trans-title=Jos Geysels resigns as Agalev political secretary |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf19052003_014 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=De Standaard |language=nl}}</ref><ref name="vrt20240322">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=Waar staat Groen voor? |trans-title=What does Groen stand for? |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/03/22/groen-waar-staat-de-partij-voor/ |publisher=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref> The sitting ministers in the Flemish government Mieke Vogels and Vera Dua stepped down, and were replaced by {{Ill|Adelheid Byttebier|nl}} and {{Ill|Ludo Sannen|nl}} respectively.

Vera Dua got elected as chairperson, and on the same day, the party's name was changed to Groen! (''Green!'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=De terugkeer van Groen! |trans-title=The comeback of Groen! |url=https://www.sampol.be/2004/06/de-terugkeer-van-groen |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=Sampol |language=nl}}</ref> The party got between 5 and 10% of the votes through the elections of the early 00's. They did not participate in a governmental coalition (on any level higher than local).

=== Groen (2012–present) === In 2012 the party decided to drop de exclamation mark of their name.

After the local and provincial elections of 2014, Groen had a mandate for the first time in the province of Flemish-Brabant. In 2018 the province of East-Flanders followed. The results in Flemish-Brabant had improved though Green wasn't part of the coalition anymore after these elections.

In 2019, there were elections on the regional, federal and European level. At this time the school strike for climate movement had dominated the media, so the party Groen was expected to grow substantially. An total victory didn't happen, though the party gained seats on all levels.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-05-26 |title=Groen boekt winst, maar grote sprong vooruit blijft uit |trans-title=Groen makes progress, but falls short of big victory |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/05/26/groen-resultaten-overzichtsartikel/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref>

On the regional level of Brussels-Capital, Groen participated in a red-green-blue coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-07-17 |title=Akkoord voor Brusselse regering is rond: mét Open VLD, zonder MR |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/07/17/akkoord-voor-brusselse-regering-is-rond-met-open-vld-zonder-mr/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref> Elke Van den Brandt became Minister of Mobility, Public Works, and Road Safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-07-18 |title=De onopvallende minister-president, de brouwer en de vrouw achter paars-groen: dit is de nieuwe Brusselse regering |trans-title=The unremarkable minister-president, the brewer and the woman behind purple-green: this is the new Brussels government |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/07/17/samenstelling-nieuwe-brusselse-regering-is-bekend/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref>

On the federal level, a new government wasn't formed until 17 March 2020, when the coronavirus outbreak urged a minority government with extra plenary powers to be formed. After 6 months a 'regular' majority government was formed and the Vivaldi coalition was sworn in with 2 Groen ministers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-07 |title=Why did it take so long to form Belgium's new 'Vivaldi' coalition? |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/07/belgium-s-new-government-why-did-the-vivaldi-coalition-take-so-long-to-form |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref> Petra De Sutter became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service, Public Enterprises, Telecommunication and Postal Services, as Europe's first transgender deputy prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-01 |title=Green MEP Petra De Sutter to be named deputy Belgian PM |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/green-mep-petra-de-sutter-to-be-named-deputy-belgian-pm/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}}</ref> Tinne Van der Straeten holds the Ministry of Energy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wie is Tinne Van der Straeten, de nieuwe minister van Energie? |trans-title=Who is Tinne Van der Straeten, the new minister of Energy? |url=https://www.bruzz.be/politiek/wie-tinne-van-der-straeten-de-nieuwe-minister-van-energie-2020-10-01 |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Bruzz |language=nl}}</ref>

In 2022 the members of Groen elected new party leaders: the duo Nadia Naji and Jeremie Vaneeckhout, and the logo changed from green only to a more colourful background.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-06-11 |title=Groen heeft nieuw voorzittersduo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout en Nadia Naji halen het in de eerste stemronde |trans-title=Groen has two new chairpeople: Jeremie Vaneeckhout and Nadia Naji succeed in one voting round |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/06/11/voorzittersverkiezingen-groen/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref>

==Political views== Groen is a progressive Flemish party that, as the name itself suggests, considers environmental and climate policy very important. The party wants to combine this with attention to social justice, equal opportunities, human rights and quality of life. In other words, the party wants to protect the planet, but wants to do so by paying attention to the weakest in society. The party therefore wants good and affordable health care and to tackle poverty. In order to afford these initiatives, the party expect the richest people and the biggest polluters in society to contribute more.<ref name="GreenVRT"/>

==Party chairperson== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2| Name ! From ! Until ! Vice-chairperson ! Comments |- | 1 | Leo Cox | 28 March 1982 | 7 January 1989 | not applicable | Spokesperson<ref name="agelevVRT">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2014-03-10 |title=Van Agalev over Groen! naar Groen zonder meer |trans-title=From Agalev to Groen! to downright Groen |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2014/03/10/van_agalev_over_groennaargroenzondermeer-1-1884552/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref> |- | 2 | Johan Malcorps | 7 January 1989 | 6 June 1995 | not applicable | Spokesperson<ref name="agelevVRT"/> |- | 3 | Wilfried Bervoets | 6 June 1995 | 24 July 1998 | not applicable | Spokesperson.<ref name="agelevVRT"/> Passed away in function.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-07-27 |title=Le décès de Wilfried Bervoets endeuille les Verts |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/le-deces-de-wilfried-bervoets-endeuille-les-verts_t-19980727-Z0FK3D.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Le Soir |language=fr}}</ref> During his illness, Jos Geysels was acting spokesperson. |- | 4 | Jos Geysels | 8 June 1998 | 21 June 2003 | not applicable | Spokesperson<ref name="agelevVRT"/> |- | 5 | Dirk Holemans | 21 June 2003 | 15 November 2003 | not applicable | Spokesperson<ref name="agelevVRT"/> |- | 6 | Vera Dua | 15 November 2003 | 10 November 2007 | not applicable<ref name="agelevVRT"/> | |- | 7 | Mieke Vogels | 10 November 2007<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-10 |title=Mieke Vogels volgt Vera Dua op als voorzitster Groen! |trans-title=Mieke Vogels succeeds Vera Dua as chairperson Groen! |url=https://m.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/b20250871071110 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Het Nieuwsblad |language=nl}}</ref> | 25 October 2009 | Wouter Van Besien (from 17 May 2008) | |- | 8 | Wouter Van Besien | 25 October 2009<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-25 |title=Wouter Van Besien verkozen als nieuwe voorzitter van Groen! |trans-title=Wouter Van Besien elected as new chairperson Groen! |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf25102009_024 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Het Nieuwsblad |language=nl}}</ref> | 15 November 2014 | Björn Rzoska (until 19 January 2013)<br>Elke Van den Brandt (from 19 January 2013) | |- | 9 | Meyrem Almaci | 15 November 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2014-11-15 |title=Meyrem Almaci verkozen tot voorzitter van Groen |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2014/11/15/meyrem_almaci_verkozentotvoorzittervangroen-1-2149227/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref> | 11 June 2022<ref>{{cite web |date=2022 |title=Meyrem Almaci stopt als voorzitter van Groen: "Het is nu aan andere mensen, dat zal Groen deugd doen" |trans-title=Meyrem Almaci quits as president of Groen: "Up to other people now, which will benefit Groen" |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/03/23/almaci/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=VRT NWS}}</ref> | Jeremie Vaneeckhout (until 19 October 2019)<br>Dany Neudt (from 19 October 2019) | Re-elected |- | 10 | Jeremie Vaneeckhout and Nadia Naji | 11 June 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/06/11/voorzittersverkiezingen-groen/|title=Groen heeft nieuw voorzittersduo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout en Nadia Naji halen het in de eerste stemronde|trans-title=Groen has new presidential duo: Jeremie Vaneeckhout and Nadia Naji win already in first round of elections|website=vrtnws|date=2022-06-11|access-date=2022-06-11}}</ref> | 19 December 2024 | not applicable | |- | 11 | Bart Dhondt | 19 December 2024<ref>{{cite web |last1=Michiels |first1=Cisse |title=Bart Dhondt is nieuwe voorzitter van Groen: maak kennis met de West-Vlaamse Brusselaar die zijn partij 'fierheid' wil bijbrengen |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/12/19/bart-dhondt-voorzitter-groen-portret/ |website=vrt.be |access-date=29 December 2024 |language=nl |date=19 December 2024}}</ref> | 21 March 2026 | Natacha Waldmann |}

== Current mandates == === European politics === {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background: #003399;" colspan="2"|<span style="color:white;">European Parliament</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Full list of MEPs |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/full-list/all |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=European Parliament (official website) |language=en}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !style="background:LightGrey;"|Committees |- |Sara Matthieu |International Trade <br> Employment and Social Affairs |}

=== Federal politics === <div style="float:left; width:48%;"> {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:green;" colspan="4"|<span style="color:black;">Chamber of Representatives</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kamerleden {{!}} Zittingsperiode 55 |trans-title=Members of the Chamber {{!}} Legislation period 55 |url=https://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/showpage.cfm?section=/depute&language=nl&cfm=cvlist54.cfm?legis=55&today=n## |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=De Belgische Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigersa}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !! style="background:LightGrey;"|Notes |- |{{flagicon|West Flanders}} Wouter De Vriendt |Faction leader |- |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} Kim Buyst | |- |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} Kristof Calvo | |- |{{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Barbara Cremers | |- |{{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Eva Platteau | |- |{{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Dieter Van Besien | |- |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} Stefaan Van Hecke | |- |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} Kathleen Pisman | |}</div><div style="float:right; width:48%;"> {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:darkRed;" colspan="3"|<span style="color:black;">Senate</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lijst van de senatoren |trans-title=List of senators |url=https://www.senaat.be/www/?MIval=/index_senate&MENUID=11200&LANG=nl |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Belgische Senaat}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Type !! style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !! style="background:LightGrey;"|Notes |- |Co-opted Senator |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} {{Ill|Fourat Ben Chikha|nl}} |Second vice president of the Senate |- |Community Senator |{{flagicon|Brussels}} {{Ill|Stijn Bex|nl}} | |- |Community Senator |{{flagicon|Brussels}} {{Ill|Soetkin Hoessen|nl}} | |- |Community Senator |{{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} {{Ill|Chris Steenwegen|nl}} | |} </div> {{clear}} {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:LightGrey;" colspan="3"|Belgian Federal De Croo Government<ref>{{Cite web |title=Composition of the Belgian federal government |url=https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/federal_authorities/federal_government/composition_government |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=belgium.be}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Public Office !style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !style="background:LightGrey;"|Function |- |Deputy Prime Minister |Petra De Sutter |Minister of Civil Service, Public Enterprises, Telecommunication and Postal Services |- |Minister |Tinne Van der Straeten |Minister of Energy |} {{clear}}

=== Regional politics: Flanders === {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:Yellow;" colspan="4"|Flemish Parliament<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volksvertegenwoordigers |trans-title=Representatives |url=https://www.vlaamsparlement.be/nl/volksvertegenwoordigers/volksvertegenwoordigers-resultaten?date=2024-06-01&view=faction&nid=923#Groen |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Vlaams Parlement |language=nl}}</ref> |- |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} Meyrem Almaci |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} {{Ill|Imade Annouri|nl}} |{{flagicon|Brussels}} Stijn Bex |- |{{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Johan Danen |{{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Ann De Martelaer |{{flagicon|Brussels}} {{Ill|Celia Groothedde|nl}} |- |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} {{Ill|Elisabeth Meuleman|nl}} |{{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Ann Moerenhout |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} Staf Aerts |- |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} Bjorn Rzoska |{{flagicon|East Flanders}} {{Ill|Mieke Schauvliege|nl}} |{{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Chris Steenwegen |- |{{flagicon|Antwerp}} Tine van den Brande |{{flagicon|West Flanders}} Jeremie Vaneeckhout | |} === Regional politics: Brussels === {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:LightBlue;" colspan="4"|Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volksvertegenwoordigers |trans-title=Representatives |url=https://www.parlement.brussels/deputes/?lang=nl |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Parlement Bruxellois Brussels Parlement |language=nl}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !! style="background:LightGrey;"|Notes |- |{{Ill|Juan Benjumea Moreno|nl}} | |- |{{Ill|Lotte Stoops|nl}} | |- |{{Ill|Soetkin Hoessen|nl}} | |- |{{Ill|Arnaud Verstraete|nl}} |Faction Leader |} {|class="wikitable" |- !style="background:LightGrey;" colspan="3"|Brussels Regional Government Vervoort II<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Government of the Region |url=https://be.brussels/en/about-region/structure-and-organisations/parliament-ministers/government-region |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Brussels-Capital Region}}</ref> |- !style="background:LightGrey;"|Public Office !style="background:LightGrey;"|Name !style="background:LightGrey;"|Function |- |Minister |Elke Van den Brandt |Mobility and Public Works |}

==Election results== ===Chamber of Representatives=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- ! Election ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/− ! Government ! Elected members of parliament |- ! 1977 | 2,435 | 0.0 | {{Composition bar|0|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | | {{no|Extra-parliamentary}} | |- ! 1978 | 5,556 | 0.1 | {{Composition bar|0|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 | {{no|Extra-parliamentary}} | |- ! 1981 | 138,575 | 2.3 | {{Composition bar|2|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 2 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Ludo Dierickx, Fernand Geyselings |- ! 1985 | 226,758 | 3.7 | {{Composition bar|4|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 2 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Ludo Dierickx, Mieke Vogels |- ! 1987 | 275,437 | 4.5 | {{Composition bar|6|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 2 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Jozef Cuyvers, Wilfried De Vlieghere, Jos Geysels, Hugo Van Dienderen, Wilfried Van Durme, Mieke Vogels |- ! 1991 | 299,550 | 4.9 | {{Composition bar|7|212|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Magda Aelvoet {{small|(until 20 July 1994)}} → Lodewijk Steenwegen, Luc Barbé, Wilfried De Vlieghere, Vera Dua, Jos Geysels, Hugo Van Dienderen, Mieke Vogels {{small|(until 11 January 1995)}} → Peter Luyten |- ! 1995 | 269,058 | 4.4 | {{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 2 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Frans Lozie, Jef Tavernier, Hugo Van Dienderen, Lode Vanoost, Joos Wauters |- ! 1999 | 434,449 | 7.0 | {{Composition bar|9|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 4 | {{yes2|Coalition}} | Eddy Boutmans {{small|(until 12 October 1999)}} → Leen Laenens, Anne-Mie Descheemaeker, Kristien Grauwels, Simonne Leen, Fauzaya Talhaoui, Jef Tavernier {{small|(until 28 August 2002)}} → Liliane De Cock, Peter Vanhoutte, Lode Vanoost, Joos Wauters |- ! 2003 | 162,205 | 2.5 | {{Composition bar|0|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 9 | {{no|Extra-parliamentary}} | |- ! 2007 | 265,828 | 4.0 | {{Composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 4 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Meyrem Almaci, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Wouter De Vriendt, {{flagicon|Brussels}} Tinne Van der Straeten, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Stefaan Van Hecke |- ! 2010 | 285,989 | 4.4 | {{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Meyrem Almaci, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Eva Brems, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Kristof Calvo, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Wouter De Vriendt, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Stefaan Van Hecke |- ! 2014 | 358,947 | 5.3 | {{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}}Meyrem Almaci, {{flagicon|Antwerp}}Kristof Calvo, {{flagicon|East Flanders}}Stefaan Van Hecke, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Evita Willaert, {{flagicon|West Flanders}}Wouter De Vriendt, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}}Anne Dedry |- ! rowspan=2| 2019 | rowspan=2| 413,836 | rowspan=2| 6.1 | rowspan=2| {{Composition bar|8|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | rowspan=2| {{increase}} 2 | {{partial2|External support {{small|(2020)}}}} | rowspan=2| {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Kim Buyst, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Kristof Calvo, {{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Barbara Creemers, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Wouter De Vriendt, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Jessica Soors {{small|(until 2020)}} → {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Eva Platteau, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Stefaan Van Hecke, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Dieter Van Besien, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Kathleen Pisman |- | {{yes2|Coalition {{small|(2020–2025)}}}} |- ! 2024 | 324,608 | 4.7 | {{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 2 | {{no2|Opposition}} |}

===Senate=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" |- ! Election ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/− |- |- ! 1977 | 3,270 | 0.1 | {{Composition bar|0|106|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | |- ! 1978 | | | {{Composition bar|0|106|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | |- ! 1981 | 121,016 | 2.0 | {{Composition bar|1|106|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |- ! 1985 | 229,206 | 3.8 | {{Composition bar|2|106|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |- ! 1987 | 299,049 | 4.9 | {{Composition bar|3|105|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |- ! 1991 | 314,360 | 5.1 | {{Composition bar|5|70|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 2 |- ! 1995 | 223,355 | 3.7 | {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 4 |- ! 1999 | 438,931 | 7.1 | {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 2 |- ! 2003 | 161,024 | 2.5 | {{Composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 3 |- ! 2007 | 241,151 | 3.6 | {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |- ! 2010 | 251,605 | 3.9 | {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |}

===Regional: Brussels=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- ! rowspan=2| Election ! rowspan=2| Votes ! colspan=2| % ! rowspan=2| Seats ! rowspan=2| +/− ! rowspan=2| Government ! rowspan=2| Elected Members of parliament |- ! {{abbr|D.E.C.|Dutch electoral college}} ! Overall |- ! 1989 | 4,821 | bgcolor="lightgrey"| | 1.1 (#12) | {{Composition bar|1|75|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | | {{no2|Opposition}} | Dolf Cauwelier |- ! 1995 | 3,906 | bgcolor="lightgrey"| | 1.0 (#11) | {{Composition bar|0|75|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | |- ! 1999{{efn|In coalition with SP}} | 13,223 | 21.8 (#4) | 3.1 (#8) | {{Composition bar|0|75|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Adelheid Byttebier {{small|(until 6 June 2003; replaced Mieke Vogels as Flemish minister)}} → Anne Van Asbroeck (''SP.A'') |- ! 2004 | 6,132 | 9.8 (#5) | 1.4 (#10) | {{Composition bar|1|89|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Adelheid Byttebier |- ! 2009 | 5,806 | 11.2 (#5) | 1.3 (#10) | {{Composition bar|2|89|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{yes2|Coalition}} | Bruno De Lille {{small|(became Brussels-Capital Region state secretary)}} → Elke Van den Brandt, Annemie Maes |- ! 2014 | 9,551 | 17.9 (#5) | 2.1 (#9) | {{Composition bar|3|89|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | Bruno De Lille, Annemie Maes, Arnaud Verstraete |- ! 2019 | 14,425 | 20.6 (#1) | 3.1 (#7) | {{Composition bar|4|89|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{yes2|Coalition}} | Elke Van den Brandt {{small|(became minister )}} → Soetkin Hoessen, Arnaud Verstraete, Lotte Stoops, Juan Benjumea Moreno |- ! 2024 | 18,345 | 22.82 (#1) | | {{Composition bar|4|89|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 ! TBD | |}

===Regional: Flemish Parliament=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- ! Election ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/− ! Government ! Elected representatives |- ! 1995 | 267,155 | 7.1 (#6) | {{Composition bar|7|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Vera Dua, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Jos Geysels, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Johan Malcorps, {{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Ludo Sannen, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Jos Stassen, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Ria Van Den Heuvel, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Cecile Verwimp |- ! 1999 | 451,361 | 11.6 (#5) | {{Composition bar|12|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 5 | {{yes2|Coalition}} | {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Magda Aelvoet {{small|(until 12 July 1999; became federal minister)}} → Ann De Martelaer, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Veerle Declercq, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Jos Geysels, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Eloi Glorieux, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Dirk Holemans, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Johan Malcorps, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Frans Ramon, {{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Ludo Sannen {{small|(until 26 May 2003; replaced Vera Dua as Flemish minister)}} → Flor Ory {{small|(until 17 February 2004)}} → Ludo Sannen, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Jos Stassen, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Ria Van Den Heuvel, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Jo Vermeulen, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Vera Dua {{small|(became Flemish minister)}} → Isabel Vertriest {{small|(until 26 May 2003)}} → Vera Dua |- ! 2004 | 308,898 | 7.6 (#5) | {{Composition bar|6|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 6 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Rudi Daems, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Vera Dua, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Eloi Glorieux, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Jos Stassen, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Jef Tavernier, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Mieke Vogels |- ! 2009 | 278,211 | 6.8 (#7) | {{Composition bar|7|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Bart Caron, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Elisabeth Meuleman, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Dirk Peeters, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Hermes Sanctorum, {{flagicon|Brussels}} Luckas Vander Taelen, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Mieke Vogels, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Filip Watteeuw {{small|(until 31 December 2012)}} |- ! 2014 | 365,779 | 8.7 (#5) | {{Composition bar|10|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 3 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Imade Annouri, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Bart Caron, {{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Johan Danen, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Elisabeth Meuleman, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Ann Moerenhout, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Ingrid Pira, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Bjorn Rzoska, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Hermes Sanctorum {{small|(until 2016; became independent)}}, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Wouter Van Besien, {{flagicon|Brussels}} Elke Van den Brandt |- ! 2019 | 428,696 | 10.1 (#5) | {{Composition bar|14|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 4 | {{no2|Opposition}} | {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Meyrem Almaci, {{flagicon|West Flanders}} Jeremie Vaneeckhout, {{flagicon|Limburg (Belgium)}} Johan Danen, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Björn Rzoska, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} An Moerenhout, {{flagicon|Brussels}} Stijn Bex, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Mieke Schauvliege, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Chris Steenwegen, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Imade Annouri, {{flagicon|Brussels}} Celia Groothedde, {{flagicon|East Flanders}} Elisabeth Meuleman, {{flagicon|Flemish Brabant}} Ann De Martelaer, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Staf Aerts, {{flagicon|Antwerp}} Tine Van den Brande |- ! 2024 | 304,688 | 7.17 | {{Composition bar|9|124|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 5 | {{no2|Opposition}} | |}

===European Parliament=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan=2| Election ! rowspan=2| List leader ! rowspan=2| Votes ! colspan=2| % ! rowspan=2| Seats ! rowspan=2| +/− ! rowspan=2| EP Group |- ! {{abbr|D.E.C.|Dutch electoral college}} ! Overall |- ! 1979 | rowspan=3| Paul Staes | 77,986 | 2.33 (#5) | 1.43 | {{Composition bar|0|24|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | New | − |- ! 1984 | 246,712 | 7.08 (#5) | 4.31 | {{Composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | RBW |- ! 1989 | 446,539 | 12.20 (#4) | 7.57 | {{Composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 | rowspan=2| G |- ! 1994 | Magda Aelvoet | 396,198 | 10.73 (#5) | 6.64 | {{Composition bar|1|25|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |- ! 1999 | Patsy Sörensen | 464,042 | 11.98 (#6) | 7.50 | {{Composition bar|2|25|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | rowspan=6| Greens/EFA |- ! 2004 | rowspan=3| Bart Staes | 320,874 | 7.99 (#5) | 4.94 | {{Composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 |- ! 2009 | 322,149 | 7.90 (#6) | 4.90 | {{Composition bar|1|22|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |- ! 2014 | 447,391 | 10.62 (#5) | 6.69 | {{Composition bar|1|21|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |- ! 2019 | Petra De Sutter | 525,908 | 12.37 (#5) | 7.81 | {{Composition bar|1|21|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |- ! 2024 | Sara Matthieu | 450,781 | 10.00 (#5) | 6.31 | {{Composition bar|1|21|hex={{party color|Groen (political party)}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |} {{notelist}}

==See also== {{Portal|Environment|Ecology}} *Ecolo the Walloon (Francophone) green party *Green party *Green politics *List of environmental organizations *European Green Party *Global Greens

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commonscat-inline}} *{{Official|http://www.groen.be}} *[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2024/04/24/what-do-the-flemish-ecologists-of-groen-stand-for/ Overview of Groen at the VRT in the context of the 2024 elections]

{{Belgian political parties}} {{Green parties}}

Category:1982 establishments in Belgium Category:Political parties established in 1982 Category:Green political parties in Belgium Category:Flemish political parties in Belgium Category:European Green Party Category:Global Greens member parties Category:Pro-European political parties in Belgium