1856 Belgian general election

Partial general elections were held in Belgium on 10 June 1856. In the elections for the Chamber of Representatives the result was a victory for the Catholics, who won 63 of the 108 seats. Voter turnout was 60.6%, although only 43,573 people were eligible to vote.

1856 Belgian general election

10 June 1856 (1856-06-10)
54 of the 108 seats in the Chamber of Representatives 55 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Pierre de Decker Charles Rogier Party Catholic Liberal Seats before 54 seats 54 seats Seats won 33 21 Seats after 63 45 Seat change 9 9 Popular vote 15,168 12,472 Percentage 54.88% 45.12%
Government before election de Decker Catholic-Liberal Government after election de Decker Catholic-Liberal

Under the alternating system, Chamber elections were only held in four out of the nine provinces: East Flanders, Hainaut, Liège and Limburg. Thus, 54 of the 108 Chamber seats were up for election.

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Party		Votes	%	Seats
				Won	Total	+/–
	Catholics	15,168	54.88	33	63	+9
	Liberal Party	12,472	45.12	21	45	–9
Total		27,640	100.00	54	108	0
Total votes		27,640	–
Registered voters/turnout		45,573	60.65
Source: Mackie & Rose, Sternberger et al.