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Reformed Political Party

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The Reformed Political Party (Dutch: Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij [ˌstaːtˈkʏndə(x) xəˌreːfɔrˈmeːrdə pɑrˈtɛi], SGP) is a conservative Reformed Christian[7] political party in the Netherlands. The SGP is the oldest political party in the Netherlands existing in its present form, and has been in opposition for its entire existence. Since 1925, it has won between 1.5% and 2.5% of the votes in general elections. Owing to its orthodox political ideals and its traditional role in the opposition, the party is considered a testimonial party.[8]

Reformed Political Party
Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij
AbbreviationSGP
LeaderChris Stoffer (list)
ChairmanDick van Meeuwen [nl] (list)
Leader in the SenatePeter Schalk (list)
Leader in the House of RepresentativesChris Stoffer (list)
Leader in the European ParliamentBert-Jan Ruissen
Founded1918[a]
Split fromAnti-Revolutionary Party
HeadquartersDinkel 7
Rotterdam
Youth wingReformed Political Party Youth
Think tankGuido de Brès Foundation
Membership (2024)Increase 30,306[2]
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing[6]
ReligionReformed Christianity
European affiliationEuropean Christian Political Movement
European Parliament groupEuropean Conservatives and Reformists Group
Colours  Orange
  Blue
Seats in the House of Representatives
3 / 150
Seats in the Senate
2 / 75
Seats in provincial councils
16 / 570
Seats in the European Parliament
1 / 31
Website
sgp.nl[b]

History

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Foundation

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Founder of the SGP, Gerrit Hendrik Kersten

The SGP was founded in 1918 by orthodox Protestants led by Yerseke pastor Gerrit Hendrik Kersten, some of which originated from the Protestant Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP). After the Pacification of 1917, compulsory voting and proportional representation was introduced in the Netherlands. The founders did not want to vote for existing parties, but saw an opportunity for a smaller party because of proportional representation.[9] The party first participated in the 1918 general election. The hastily organised campaign focused on the ARP and its support of what SGP called state coercion, such as compulsory vaccination and insurance law. Because some might object to him combining being polician and pastor, Kersten was not a candidate, but instead Barend Lemans and Pieter Gijze. The party received over 5,000 votes, not enough for a seat.[10]

Despite not winning a seat, the SGP continued its activities In 1919, the party board started a petition against the Invaliditeitswet [nl] (Disability Act), which forced workers to pay premiums to insure against disability. It received 4,800 signatures. The party encouraged its members to send back their stamp cards which tracked their premiums. In December 1920, the Senate passed a law that would accommodate their conscientious objections. A similar petition against compulsory vaccination received 27,059 signatures in 1922, but sorted no effect.[11]

1922–1945

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For the 1922 general election, Kersten was lead candidate, accepting objections within his electorate. The party won one seat in the House of Representatives, which was taken by Kersten. His speeches in parliament regularly received media attention, for example when he opposed the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. In the 1925 general election, the party won another seat which was taken by Pieter Zandt.[12]

Later that year, the anti-Catholic SGP would cause the fall of the second Ruijs de Beerenbrouck cabinet in what became known as the Night of Kersten (Dutch: Nacht van Kersten). During the debate on the budget of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kersten had proposed cutting the budget of the diplomatic mission of the Netherlands to the Holy See. The amendment received a majority, because it was supported by the Protestant Christian Historical Union (CHU), which was in cabinet together with the Catholic General League. It resulted in more publicity and a third seat in the 1929 general election, which was taken by Cor van Dis sr. [nl].[12] Kersten, Zandt and Van Dis formed the parliamentary group until the 1937 general election, when the SGP lost one seat. The SGP did not achieve much in parliament other than during the Night of Kersten, but achieved some smaller goals outside of parliament through contact with the ministers.[13]

Kersten saw the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940 as a punishment for its sins. He rejected resistance against the German occupation and was seen as friendly towards them. After the war, he was nominated again as lead candidate, but he was barred from the House of Representatives for his stances during the war.[14]

1945–present

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Henk van Rossum (party leader 1981–1986), Cor van Dis Sr. (party leader 1961–1971) and Hette Abma (party leader 1971–1981) in the House of Representatives in 1973.

Kersten was succeeded by Zandt, under whose leadership the SGP was very stable, continually getting 2% of votes. In the 1956 general election, the SGP profited from the enlargement of parliament, and entered the Senate for the first time. It lost that seat in 1960 Senate election, but regained it in the 1971 Senate election.[15]

In 1961 Zandt died and was succeeded by Van Dis sr. After ten years he stood down in favour of Reverend Hette Abma, who also stepped down after ten years, in favour of Henk van Rossum, a civil engineer. In the 1984 European Parliament election, the SGP joined the two other orthodox Protestant parties, the Reformatory Political Federation (RPF) and the Reformed Political League (GPV). They won one seat in the European Parliament, which was taken by SGP member Leen van der Waal, a mechanical engineer.[15]

 
Bas van der Vlies, party leader from 1986 to 2010.

In 1986, Van Rossum was succeeded by Bas van der Vlies. In the 1994 election the party lost one seat in the House, regained it in 1998, and lost it again in 2002. During the 2003 cabinet formation, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) held talks with the SGP — the first time that the SGP was seriously considered as a possible coalition partner. Ultimately, the Democrats 66 joined the second Balkenende cabinet instead of the SGP, mostly because of the ideological differences between the VVD and the SGP.[15]

 
Kees van der Staaij, party leader from 2010 to 2023

In 2010, Kees van der Staaij succeeded Van der Vlies. During the 2010 cabinet formation, the negotiating CDA, VVD and Party for Freedom (PVV) took into account some wishes of the SGP, so that SGP would provide confidence and supply in the Senate where the first Rutte cabinet did not have a majority.[15]

Ideology and political positions

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As a Protestant fundamentalist[16] party the SGP draws much from its ideology from the Reformed Christian tradition, specifically the ecclesiastical doctrinal standards known as the Three Forms of Unity, including an unamended version of the Belgic Confession (Dutch: Nederlandse Geloofsbelijdenis). It includes 21 words that were removed by the synod of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands in 1905, which state that the government must "eliminate and eradicate all idolatry and false religion, so as to destroy the kingdom of Antichrist". This contrasted with the other two Protestant parties, the Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP) and the Christian Historical Union (CHU), which had accepted the change.[17]

Church and state

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The SGP does favor some, but no strict, separation of church and state. The church and state should cooperate, including the advancement of the true faith.[c] The state should not curtail the freedom of the church, while the church similarly should not impose upon the state.[18] Abma rejected theocracy as form of government, instead harmonizing theocracy and democracy.[19] Over time, it has however become more realistic, accepting the religiously neutral state.[20]

The SGP supports the freedom of conscience, but not an unconditional freedom of religion.[21] For example, it rejects the freedom of publicly exercising religion when they consider it idolatry or false religion.[22]

Women's rights

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The SGP generally opposes women's suffrage, both passive and active. SGP believes it is against a "woman's calling". From the start, the party is not united on this issue. Opponents argue that the biblical argumentation is not clear or that this could hurt them electorally.[23] In 1989 the party changed its principles, approving women voting if they can answer this to God in their conscience.[24]

Election results

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House of Representatives

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Election Lead candidate List Votes % Seats +/–
1918 Barend Lemans List 5,180 0.39
0 / 100
 New
1922 Gerrit Hendrik Kersten List 26,744 0.91
1 / 100
   1
1925 List 62,513 2.03
2 / 100
   1
1929 List 76,709 2.27
3 / 100
   1
1933 List 93,273 2.51
3 / 100
   0
1937 List 78,619 1.94
2 / 100
   1
1946 Pieter Zandt List 101,759 2.14
2 / 100
   0
1948 List 116,937 2.37
2 / 100
   0
1952 List 129,081 2.42
2 / 100
   0
1956 List 129,515 2.26
3 / 150
   1
1959 List 129,678 2.16
3 / 150
   0
1963 Cor van Dis Sr. List 143,549 2.29
3 / 150
   0
1967 List 138,119 2.01
3 / 150
   0
1971 Hette Abma List 148,221 2.35
3 / 150
   0
1972 List 163,114 2.21
3 / 150
   0
1977 List 177,010 2.13
3 / 150
   0
1981 Henk van Rossum List 171,324 1.97
3 / 150
   0
1982 List 156,636 1.90
3 / 150
   0
1986 Bas van der Vlies List 159,740 1.74
3 / 150
   0
1989 List 166,082 1.87
3 / 150
   0
1994 List 155,251 1.73
2 / 150
   1
1998 List 153,583 1.78
3 / 150
   1
2002 List 163,562 1.72
2 / 150
   1
2003 List 150,305 1.56
2 / 150
   0
2006 List 153,266 1.56
2 / 150
   0
2010 Kees van der Staaij List 163,581 1.74
2 / 150
   0
2012 List 196,780 2.09
3 / 150
   1
2017 List 218,950 2.08
3 / 150
   0
2021 List 215,249 2.07
3 / 150
   0
2023 Chris Stoffer List 217,270 2.08
3 / 150
   0

European Parliament

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Between 1984 and 2019, the SGP filed joint candidate lists with the Christian Union and its predecessors. See CU-SGP for these election results.

Election List Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
1979 List 126,412 2.23
0 / 25
 New
2024 List 228,036 3.66
1 / 31
   0

Representation

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Leadership

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Main article: Leaders of the Reformed Political Party

House of Representatives

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Main article: List of members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands for the Reformed Political Party

Senate

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Main article: List of members of the Senate of the Netherlands for the Reformed Political Party

European Parliament

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Since the 1984 European Parliament election the party has had one elected representative in the European Parliament. From 1984 to 1997 Leen van der Waal was the representative, from 1999 Bas Belder was the party's representative, succeeded by Bert-Jan Ruissen in the 2019 European Parliament election. In European Parliament elections, the SGP formed one candidate list with the Christian Union, called CU–SGP, until the 2024 European Parliament election. Currently the SGP is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR Group) in the European Parliament.

Electorate

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The SGP has had a very stable electorate since first entering the States-General in 1922. Since winning a second seat in 1926, it has usually varied between two and three seats in the House of Representatives.

Most of its electorate is formed by so-called pietistic Reformed Protestants ("bevindelijk gereformeerden [nl]"),[25] Reformed Protestants for whom personal religious experience is very important. Most of the Old Reformed Congregations and the Reformed Congregations are considered pietistic Reformed Protestants. Pietistic Reformed Protestants are also present in the Christian Reformed Churches, the Reformed Association in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands and the Restored Reformed Church. Not all SGP voters are however pietistic Reformed Protestants, and not all pietistic Reformed Protestants vote SGP.[26]

Geographical

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Areas where the SGP received a significant number of votes in the 2010 general election, largely co-extensive with the Dutch Bible Belt.

The SGP's support is concentrated geographically in the Dutch Bible Belt, a band of strongly Reformed and mostly rural municipalities ranging from Zeeland in the South via Goeree-Overflakkee and the Alblasserwaard in South Holland and the Veluwe in Gelderland to the Western part of Overijssel, around Staphorst. Outside the Bible Belt, the SGP also performs well in Urk, Uddel and Rijssen-Holten.[27] The geographical concentration of SGP voters has however decreased between 1956 and 2017. Its votes have shifted away from Utrecht and South Holland towards Zeeland, Gelderland, Overijssel, with a modest turnout in Drenthe and Gelderland.[28]

Socio-demographic

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Despite SGP's opposition to women's suffrage, it draws significant support from women. In the period 1971–1977, when the Dutch National Voter Survey started, around half of its voters were female. This declined to 34% in 1989–1998, but rose back to half in 2010–2017.[29] In the March 2021 general election and the March 2023 provincial elections, nearly 60% of SGP voters were female.[30]

Organisation

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Organisational structure

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The highest organ of the SGP is the congress, which is formed by delegates from the municipal branches. It convenes once every year. It appoints the party board and decides the order of the Senate, House of Representatives, European Parliament candidates list and has the last say over the party program. The SGP chairman is always a minister. Since 2001 this position is ceremonial, as the general chair leads the party's organisation.

The party has 245 municipal branches and has a provincial federation in each province, except for Limburg.

Membership

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Female membership

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Lilian Janse-van der Weele [nl], the first female elected representative for the SGP, being sworn in as municipal councilor of Vlissingen in 2014.

Initially, women were not allowed to be member of the party. In 1983, the first woman, W. van Donge-van Bezooijen, applied for membership, but the The Hague electoral association had rejected her application because she was a woman. She then wrote to the national party board, after which she and Riet Grabijn-van Putten became member in 1985. The party board however changed its position in 1991, rejecting membership for women. This position was supported by ninety percent of electoral associations in 1993. The party was aware that this might be against the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.[31]

Meanwhile, public opinion in the Netherlands turned against SGP's decision not to allow women. UN committees also recommended intervention. In 2003, the Clara Wichmann Institute and some other organisations sued the Dutch government, for subsidising SGP. The district court of The Hague ruled that the party could no longer receive subsidies from the government, while it did not force the SGP to change it statutes. Based on the verdict, the party decided to allow female membership, while still not allowing them on candidate lists.[32] At the end of 2017, SGP had 800 female members.[33]

Meanwhile in 2005, the Dutch government had refused the SGP's application for subsidies. The administrative law division of the district court of The Hague supported the rejection. However, the Council of State overturned this decision in December 2007, maintaining that a party's political philosophy takes precedence, and that women have the opportunity to join other political parties where they can obtain a leadership role. Two weeks later, The Hague courts of appeal ruled on the first case that the SGP should also allow women's passive suffrage. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands affirmed this decision in 2010 and an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights was unsuccessful in 2012. As a result, the SGP changed its internal regulations to allow women to be candidates in elections.[34]

Some women have been candidates starting with the 2014 municipal elections, with lead candidate Lilian Janse-van der Weele [nl] becoming the first female elected representative for the SGP when she was elected municipal councilor in Vlissingen in 2014.[35]

Linked organisations

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The party publishes the Banner (Dutch: De Banier) two-weekly since 1921. Its think tank was founded in 1974, and it was renamed after Walloon theologian Guido de Brès in 1992. It publishes the quarterly magazine Zicht (Sight).[36] The youth organisation of the SGP is called the Reformed Political Party Youth (SGPJ), which with its approximately 12,000 members is the largest political youth organization in the Netherlands.[citation needed]

The SGP participates in the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, a democracy assistance organisation of seven Dutch political parties.

Pillarised organisations

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The SGP has close links with several other orthodox Protestant organisations, such as several Reformed churches and the newspaper Reformatorisch Dagblad. Together they form a small but strong orthodox-Reformed pillar.

Relationships to other parties

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See also: CU–SGP

Until 1963, the SGP was relatively isolated in parliament. The strongly antipapal SGP refused to cooperate with either the Catholic People's Party or the secular People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and Labour Party (PvdA). The also Protestant, larger Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP) had some sympathy for the SGP, but cooperated more tightly with the KVP and the other Protestant party, the Christian Historical Union (CHU). In 1963 another orthodox Protestant party, the Reformed Political League (GPV) entered parliament, in 1981 they were joined by the Reformatory Political Federation (RPF). Together these three parties formed the "Small Christian parties". They shared the same orthodox Protestant political ideals and had the same political strategy, as testimonial parties. They cooperated in municipalities, both in municipal executives, where the parties were strong, as well as in common municipal parties, where the parties were weak. In the 1984 European Parliamentary election the parties presented a common list and they won one seat in parliament. After 1993 the cooperation between the GPV and the RPF intensified, but the SGP's position at the time on female suffrage prevented the SGP joining this closer cooperation. However, in 2000 the GPV and RPF merged to form the ChristianUnion (CU). Traditionally the SGP and the CU worked together closely as they were both based on Protestant Christian politics. Recently however, as the CU has moved more towards the centre-left,[citation needed] discernible differences of philosophy between the SGP and CU have caused the parties to not join in elections. The most notable example was the 2011 Senate election where the SGP and CU did not combine their votes.[37]

Citations

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  1. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 19.
  2. ^ "Ledentallen Nederlandse politieke partijen per 1 januari 2024" [Membership of Dutch political parties as of 1 January 2024]. University of Groningen (in Dutch). Documentation Centre Dutch Political Parties. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2021). "Netherlands". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  4. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 69.
  5. ^
    • Wijbrandt van van Schuur; Gerrit Voerman (2010). "Democracy in Retreat? Decline in Political Party Membership: The Case of the Netherlands". In Barbara Wejnert (ed.). Democratic Paths and Trends. Emerald. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-85724-091-0.
    • Jean-Yves Camus (2013). "The european extreme right and religious extremism". In Andrea Mammone; Emmanuel Godin; Brian Jenkins (eds.). Varieties of Right-Wing Extremism in Europe. Routledge. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-136-16751-5.
    • Brent F. Nelsen; James L. Guth (2015). Religion and the Struggle for European Union: Confessional Culture and the Limits of Integration. Georgetown University Press. p. 312. ISBN 978-1-62616-070-5.
    • Christoph Jedan (2013). "Overcoming the divide between religious and secular values: Introductory essay". In Christoph Jedan (ed.). Constellations of Value: European Perspectives on the Intersections of Religion, Politics and Society. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 14. ISBN 978-3-643-90083-8.
    • [4]
  6. ^ Banks, Arthur S.; Thomas C. Muller; William Overstreet; Sean M. Phelan; Hal Smith (2000). Political Handbook of the World 1999. Cq Pr. p. 696. ISBN 978-0-933199-14-9.
    • Maggini, Nicola (2016). Young People's Voting Behaviour in Europe: A Comparative Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-137-59243-9.
    • Voerman, Gerrit; Lucardie, Paul (July 1992). "The extreme right in the Netherlands. The centrists and their radical rivals". European Journal of Political Research. 22 (1): 36, 51. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6765.1992.tb00304.x.
  7. ^ These sources describe the SGP as a Calvinist (Reformed Christian) political party:
    • Denis Derbyshire, J; Derbyshire, Ian (1989). Political Systems Of The World. Allied. p. 119. ISBN 978-81-7023-307-7.
    • Bader, Veit (2008). Secularism or Democracy?: Associational Governance of Religious Diversity. Amsterdam University Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-90-5356-999-3.
    • Leijenaar, Monique; Niemöller, Kees (1997). "The Netherlands". In Pippa Norris (ed.). Passages to Power: Legislative Recruitment in Advanced Democracies. Cambridge University Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-521-59908-5.
    • Almeida, Dimitri (2012). The Impact of European Integration on Political Parties: Beyond the Permissive Consensus. CRC Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-136-34039-0.
  8. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 166.
  9. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 19–24.
  10. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 27–29.
  11. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 30–31.
  12. ^ a b Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 31–33.
  13. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 36–38.
  14. ^ Van der Steen, Paul (12 November 2021). "Veel erger nog dan Hitler, vond SGP'er Kersten, waren de Roomsen". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d "Staatkundig-Gereformeerde Partij (SGP)". Parlement.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  16. ^ Amir Abedi. Anti-political Establishment Parties: A Comparative Analysis. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-415-31961-4.
  17. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 71.
  18. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 73–74.
  19. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 76–77.
  20. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 90.
  21. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 82–84.
  22. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 75–76.
  23. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 98–76.
  24. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 103.
  25. ^ Translation derived from: De Jager, Koos-jan (2018). "Die Mij tergen, hebben verzekeringen". Religie & Samenleving. doi:10.54195/RS.11853.
  26. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 155–157.
  27. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 157.
  28. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 164.
  29. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 143–144.
  30. ^ Otjes, Simon; Rooduijn, Matthijs (24 October 2023). "Plaatjes van de electoraatjes 2023: ChristenUnie en SGP". Stuk Rood Vlees (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  31. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 104–107.
  32. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 107–110.
  33. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 110.
  34. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, pp. 111–113.
  35. ^ Vollaard & Voerman 2018, p. 113.
  36. ^ Gunst, Jakko; Hermenet, Coen; Vroegindeweij, Gerard (18 March 2024). "De 'Guido de Brès' is geen luis in de pels van de SGP, wel een waakhond" [The 'Guido de Brès' is not a thorn in the flesh of the SGP, it is a watchdog]. Reformatorisch Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  37. ^ "ChristenUnie en SGP lastig door één deur". Nieuwslijn Magazine. 26 May 2011. Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

References

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Further reading

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  • Mulder, Jan; Hovius, W.Chr. (1993). Van goedertierenheid en trouw: 75 jaar Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij, 1918-1993. ISBN 9789090061146.
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Notes

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  1. ^ 24 April 1918 is often named the foundation date, but the foundation meeting took place earlier in the year, although the exact date is unknown.[1]
  2. ^ Closed on Sundays
  3. ^ Both Kersten and Abma did not specifiy specifically which Reformed denomination this referred to.
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