People's Union

Big tent flemish nationalist party, preceded by the electoral alliance Christian Flemish People's Union (CVV).

On 13 October 2001 the party openly split into three factions: the progressive wing around Bert Anciaux, the conservative nationalist wing around Geert Bourgeois, and a centrist group opposing the imminent split. An internal referendum was held on the future of the party.

The right wing won a large plurality at a party referendum, with 47 percent. However, while it inherited VU's structure, it did not take the VU name due to falling short of a majority and not being allowed to use the party name under Belgian electoral law. Instead, it reconstituted itself as a new party, and re-registered itself as the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA).

The left wing under Anciaux broke off and became Spirit, while the liberal members joined the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD). The two parties proceeded to form new electoral alliances, known in Belgium as cartels, with the N-VA allying with Christian Democratic and Flemish and Spirit with the Socialist Party – Different (sp.a). These cartels broke up in 2008 as the parties continued their decline, until the N-VA experienced a sudden resurgence in 2009, eventually becoming the largest party in Flanders and going on to participate as a coalition partner in the Belgian government, while Spirit ceased to exist, merging with Groen.

Chairman: Walter Couvreur: 1954-1955 Frans Van der Elst: 1955-1975 Hugo Schiltz: 1975-1979 Vic Anciaux: 1979-1986 Jaak Gabriëls: 1986-1992 Bert Anciaux: 1992-1998 Patrik Vankrunkelsven: 1998-2000 Geert Bourgeois: 2000-2001 Fons Borginon: 2001