Christian Democratic Appeal
The Christian Democratic Appeal (Dutch: Christen-Democratisch Appèl, pronounced [krɪstə(n)deːmoːkraːtis ɑˈpɛl]; CDA) is a Christian-democratic and socially conservative political party in the Netherlands. It was originally formed in 1977 from a confederation of the Catholic People's Party, the Anti-Revolutionary Party and the Christian Historical Union; it has participated in all but three cabinets since it became a unitary party.
Christian Democratic Appeal Christen-Democratisch Appèl | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CDA |
| Leader | Henri Bontenbal |
| Chairperson | Mark Buck |
| Leader in the Cabinet | Karien van Gennip |
| Leader in the Senate | Theo Bovens |
| Leader in the House of Representatives | Henri Bontenbal |
| Leader in the European Parliament | Esther de Lange |
| Founded | 23 June 1973 (alliance) 11 October 1980 (party) |
| Merger of | Catholic People's Party Anti-Revolutionary Party Christian Historical Union |
| Headquarters | Buitenom 18, The Hague |
| Youth wing | Christian Democratic Youth Appeal |
| Think tank | Wetenschappelijk Instituut voor het CDA |
| Membership (2023) | 31,916 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre to centre-right |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Regional affiliation | Christian Group |
| European affiliation | European People's Party |
| International affiliation | Centrist Democrat International |
| European Parliament group | European People's Party |
| Colours | Green |
| Senate | 6 / 75 |
| House of Representatives | 5 / 150 |
| Provincial councils | 42 / 570 |
| European Parliament | 5 / 29 |
| King's Commissioners | 3 / 12 |
| Benelux Parliament | 1 / 21 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal from July 2020 until his resignation the following December. Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra was then chosen as lead candidate for the 2021 general election, becoming the de facto party leader. After the 2017 general election, in which the party won 19 seats (third place), the CDA became a junior coalition partner in the Third Rutte cabinet with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Democrats 66 and Christian Union. The Fourth Rutte cabinet was formed upon the same coalition.