Belgian general election, 1961

Belgian general election, 1961
Belgium
26 March 1961
212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
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General elections were held in Belgium on 26 March 1961.[1] The result was a victory for the Christian Social Party, which won 96 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 47 of the 106 seats in the Senate.[2] Voter turnout was 92.3%.[3] Elections for the nine provincial councils were also held.

Prior to the elections, the centre-right government of the Christian Social and Liberal Party led by Gaston Eyskens pushed through austerity measures with a law known as the Eenheidswet or Loi Unique, despite heavy strikes in the preceding weeks, especially in Wallonia. After the elections, the Christian Democrats formed a new government with the Socialist Party instead of the Liberal Party, with Théo Lefèvre as Prime Minister.

Results

Chamber of Deputies

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Christian Social Party2,182,64241.4696–8
Belgian Socialist Party1,933,42436.7284–4
Liberal Party649,37612.33200
People's Union182,4073.465+4
Communist Party of Belgium162,2383.085+3
National Rally42,4500.811New
Independent Party33,1740.630New
National Union of Independents12,2520.230New
National Party4,3750.080New
Liberal Dissidents3,9560.080New
Walloon Unity3,4660.070New
Alleenstaande3,1010.060New
Zelfstandig2,3070.040New
Francophone Bloc1,8240.030New
Gekavemus6040.010New
Independent Workers5510.010New
Universal People4800.010New
EC Group1540.000New
Independents46,2440.881
Invalid/blank votes308,815
Total5,573,8401002120
Registered voters/turnout6,036,16592.34
Source: Belgian Elections

Senate

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Christian Social Party2,200,32342.1247–6
Belgian Socialist Party1,924,60536.8445+5
Liberal Party637,92212.2011+1
Communist Party of Belgium163,5763.1310
People's Union159,0963.052+2
National Movement26,2110.650New
Independent Party21,4210.410New
National Union of Independents21,4210.410New
Liberal Dissidents7,7110.150New
National Rally5,4250.100New
National Party4,4570.090New
Walloon Unity3,4780.070New
Francophone Bloc1,9470.040New
Independents36,6460.7000
Invalid/blank votes349,475
Total5,573,9821001060
Registered voters/turnout6,036,16592.34
Source: Belgian Elections

References

  1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p289 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. Nohlen & Stöver, pp309-311
  3. Nohlen & Stöver, p291
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