On that basis it was decided that the word socialism would not be mentioned in the name of the party, a point of view which was also defended by Cesar De Paepe (1841–1890).

After 1919, universal male suffrage and proportional representation greatly enhanced the party's parliamentary strength and it participated in several governments.

In the 1919 election, the Belgian Labour Party won 36.6% of the vote and increased their parliamentary representation from 26 to 70 seats.

[3] After World War II, most of the BWP/POB officials joined to found the Belgian Socialist Party.

a This election saw the introduction of Proportional representation (PR), making Belgium the first country in Europe to adopt said voting system.