Roman Catholic Party of the Netherlands

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The Roman Catholic Party Netherlands (in Dutch: Rooms Katholieke Partij Nederland, RKPN) was a Dutch strict catholic political party. The RKPN played a marginal role in Dutch politics.

Party History

The RKPN was founded by former members of the Catholic People's Party who were upset with what they saw as the liberal course of their party. In reaction they founded the RKPN. In the 1972 the party got one seat, which was taken by Klaas Beuker, who also was the party's chair. In 1974 a conflict between Beuker and the party board, caused him to continue as an independent MP. The party unsuccessfully entered in the 1977 elections.

Ideology & Issues

The RKPN was an orthodox catholic testimonial party in contrast to the pragmatic and liberal course of the Catholic People's Party. The party took the Ten Commandments as their main perspective. The RKPN followed the conservative course of Pope Paul VI.

The RKPN wanted to strengthen catholic schools and youth work. It wanted to government to act against euthanasia and abortion.

Support & Leadership

This table shows the RKPN's results in elections to the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the party's political leadership: the fractievoorzitter, is the chair of the parliamentary party and the lijsttrekker is the party's top candidate in the general election, these posts are normally taken by the party's leader.

Electorate

The party was mainly supported by Catholics who followed more conservative bishops like Simonis.

International Comparison

The RKPN, a testimonial party can best be compared to the Dutch orthodox Protestant SGP. Internationally it is comparable to small orthodox catholic parties like the Irish Christian Solidarity Party.

Defunct political parties in the Netherlands Catholic General League Roman Catholic People's Party Roman-Catholic State Party Catholic People's Party Catholic National Party Political Party of Radicals Roman Catholic Party Netherlands Liberal Liberal Union Radical League Free-thinking Democratic League League of Free Liberals Liberal Party Economic League Middle Class Party Neutral Party Liberal State Party Freedom Party Reformed Anti Revolutionary Party Christian Historical Voters' League Free Anti Revolutionary Party Christian Historical Party Frisian League Christian Historical Union League of Christian Socialists Christian Democratic Party Christian Social Party Christian Democratic Union Reformed Reformed State Party Reformed Political Alliance Reformatory Political Federation Evangelical People's Party Socialist Social Democratic League Social Democratic Workers' Party Communist Party of the Netherlands Socialist Party Revolutionary Socialist Party Pacifist Socialist Party Democratic Socialists '70 Other Alliance for the Democratization of the Army Peasants' League Middle Party for City and Country Alliance for National Reconstruction National Socialist Movement Farmers' Party New Middle Party Centre Party Centre Party '86 Centre Democrats Dutch Block New National Party New Right National Alliance General Elderly Alliance Union 55+ Livable Netherlands Pim Fortuyn List Proud of the Netherlands Independent Citizens' Party