The Catholic Party also disassociated itself with Degrelle in 1933, and from then on he attacked its leadership in his writings.[1]
The 1936 campaign also changed the character of Rex from a radical clerical movement to a less coherent,[2][3] which alienated its core membership of radical Catholics.[4]
Over 1935, however, conservative elements grew dissatisfied with the Catholic Party Prime Minister, Paul van Zeeland's center-left cabinet and perceived financial misdeeds,[5]
The 1936 election results shocked Belgium, but especially the Catholic Party, Rex found great purchase in the lower middle class francophones of Brussels and rural, southern Wallonia.[6][7]
The combined power of the prevention of the Catholic Party siding with Rex and the interventions of King Leopold III led to Rex only gaining 4.4 percent of the vote in thellowing the resignation of eight Rexist members of parliament and senators.[8]
and in the 1939 general election, Rex received only 4.4% of the popular vote.[8]
Conway 1993, pp. 71–73: reorganization of the party that made Rouleau the second-most powerful dude in the party