Socialist Party - Different

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Template:Politics of Belgium Socialist Party - Different or Social Progressive Alternative (Flemish: Socialistische Partij - Anders or Sociaal Progressief Alternatief (sp.a) is the Flemish social democratic party in Belgium. It was formerly known as Belgische Socialistische Partij (BSP) and Socialistische Partij (SP).

They were the big winners in the 2003 election, running on a joint list (cartel) with the social liberal Spirit party. Their share of the vote went up from 9% (of the total Belgian vote) to almost 15%, a second place in the number of votes. The main victim of this resurgence was the Green Agalev party. The SP.A is part of the current federal coalition of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt containing four liberal and socialist parties from the north and the south of the country.

In 2004 SP.A along with its partner Spirit lost the elections for the Flemish parliament. Although they won more seats in comparison to the Flemish elections of 1999, their percentage of the vote compared to the successful 2003 federal elections was considerably down. The reputation of then party leader Steve Stevaert took a beating too.

The party was shortly led by Caroline Gennez, after former president Steve Stevaert left to become governor of Limburg. Johan Vande Lanotte, who served as Minister of the Budget in the federal Government, was elected President and resigned as minister to become President on October 17, 2005.

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