Ochtend Flits

Party

CDA

Christen-Democratisch Appèl — the centre-right Christian democratic party

Part of: Dutch Political Parties

What is it?

CDA (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) is the main Christian democratic party in the Netherlands, formed in 1980 from a merger of three Protestant and Catholic parties. Historically one of the dominant forces in Dutch politics — governing for most of the post-war period — it has been in steady decline since the 2000s as the Christian voter base shrinks and the political centre fractures.

It sits in the current Schoof cabinet alongside PVV, VVD, and NSC.

What they stand for

  • Christian democratic values: family, community, human dignity
  • Centre-right on economics; moderate on social issues compared to VVD
  • Pro-European
  • Traditional on asylum and immigration by CDA standards, though more moderate than PVV

Leadership

What to watch

Whether CDA can hold its position in the Schoof coalition while its voters grow frustrated with the government's inability to deliver on asylum policy — and whether Bontenbal can rebuild the party's identity after years of electoral decline.

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