King Leopold went into exile in June 1944, when
Heinrich Himmler ordered him to leave
Belgium. Leopold was held by the
Nazis in
Strobl, Austria until early May 1945, when he was freed by members of the United States
106th Cavalry Group. Because of the political troubles surrounding his wartime behaviour, King Leopold remained in exile in Switzerland until 1950, his brother
Prince Charles, Count of Flanders having been installed as Regent after the Liberation in 1944. The Catholics, who generally supported the King's return, won a majority in the
Belgian Senate during the
general election of 26 June 1949. The Catholics formed a government with the Liberals. The date of the referendum () the King wanted was set by this government for 12 March 1950. Socialist Leader
Paul-Henri Spaak opposed holding a referendum. He foresaw that the vote for Leopold might fall between 55% and 65%, giving no decisive mandate for the king's return, and that the King would carry
Flanders and lose
Wallonia. In that case, said Spaak, "the government would not only have on its hands the King's abdication or return, it would also have to appease the anger, acerbity and rancor of Flanders or Wallonia." ==Results==