Abstract

During the 19th century, the Belgian Liberal Party was frequently divided between its «progressive» or «radical» wing and its conservative majority.Between 1880 and 1900, the program of the progressive liberalism was worked out and stated precisely during seven political meetings.The one hold in 1887 put the headlines into shape, chiefly : big extension of the franchise, compulsory education, disestablishment of the Church.In spite of their small number of members, the progressists were surely most influential upon the adoption of the universal franchise.