1898 Belgian general election

Partial legislative elections were held in Belgium on 22 May 1898, with run-off elections held on 29 May.[1] Under the alternating system, elections for the Chamber of Representatives were held in only four out of the nine provinces: Hainaut, Limburg, Liège and East Flanders. Thus, only 75 seats out of the 152 seats in the Chamber of Representatives were up for election. The Catholic Party retained their absolute majority.[2]

1898 Belgian general election

22 May 1898
75 of the 152 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
First party Second party   Leader Paul de Smet de Naeyer Grégoire Serwy Party Catholic Labour Leader since Candidate for PM 1893 Seats before 108 seats 27 seats Seats won 36 15 Seats after 108 15 Seat change 12 Popular vote 377,275 213,511 Percentage 38.49% 21.78%   Third party Fourth party   Leader N/A Party Liberal LSK Leader since N/A Seats before 11 seats 4 seats Seats won 12 8 Seats after 13 12 Seat change 2 8 Popular vote 177,802 91,947 Percentage 18.14% 9.38%
Government before election de Smet de Naeyer I Catholic Government after election de Smet de Naeyer I Catholic

Paul de Smet de Naeyer, the re-elected representative for Ghent and incumbent head of government

Notably, Adolf Daens, who was elected in 1894 for Aalst and served one term, was convinced not to run for re-election. His fight for a social Christian Democratic party was opposed by conservative Catholics, especially fellow Aalst MP Charles Woeste. None of the other "Daensists" (Christene Volkspartij) who ran were elected.

A special election in Bastogne was held on 24 July 1898. Henry Delvaux de Fenffe was elected to replace Emile Van Hoorde, who became a provincial senator.

They were the last regular legislative elections under a majority system; the next elections in 1900 saw the introduction of a proportional system.

The newly elected legislature met in regular session on 8 November 1898.