Forum for Democracy

Forum for Democracy (Dutch: Forum voor Democratie, FvD) is a conservative, Eurosceptic political party in the Netherlands, founded as a think tank by Thierry Baudet, who has been the party's leader since its founding in late 2016. The party first participated in elections in the 2017 general election, winning two seats in the House of Representatives. In the 2019 provincial elections, FvD won the most seats.

History

The FvD was established as a think tank, whose main feat was campaigning in the 2016 Dutch Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement referendum.^[1]

In September 2016, it converted itself into a political party and announced its intention to take part in the 2017 general election, where the FvD ended up with 1.8% of the vote and 2 seats, entering parliament for the first time. In February 2019, the FvD had nearly 31,000 members.^[2] The bulk of the Forum's parliamental candidates did not have prior active experience in other political parties.^[3][4]

In February 2018, the party suffered from internal issues with a number of prominent members leaving the party because they felt the party had a lack of internal democracy.^[5]

In the 2018 municipal elections, the FvD won 3 seats at the Amsterdam city council.

During the 2019 provincial elections, Forum for Democracy won 86 seats spread across the 12 provinces of the Netherlands. In South Holland, North Holland and Flevoland, FvD became the largest party, winning 11, 9 and 8 seats respectively. In all other provinces, the party captured either the second or third spot in terms of the popular vote.

Ideology

Economy

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v t e

FvD is a conservative liberal party and as such supports economic liberalism.^[6] The party is a proponent of the introduction of high tax free bracket for everyone, the abolition of taxes on gifts and inheritance and a radical simplification of tax brackets.^{[7][8][9][10]} The party is a proponent of drastic changes in elementary and secondary education, focusing on performance evaluations for teachers.^[11] They want to expand the armed forces, expanding the National Reserve Corps and reverting defence budget cuts.^[12] In addition, the party has promoted plans to privatise the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep, a Dutch public broadcasting organisation.^[13]

Electoral reform

One of the major issues the party campaigns against is the perceived existence of a party cartel in which the main ruling parties of the country divide power among themselves and conspire towards the same goals despite claiming to be competitors.^[1] The party promises direct democracy through binding referenda^[3] as well as directly elected mayors and a directly elected Prime Minister.^[14][15] The party is also in favour of the government consisting of apolitical experts and top civil servants having to reapply for their positions when a new cabinet is formed.^[16]

Immigration and European Union

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v t e

The party opposes the European Union (EU) and campaigns for a referendum on Dutch EU withdrawal. It also adopts a nationalist viewpoint in which the Dutch culture should be protected.^[17] For instance, the party is in favor of reinstating border controls and ending what it perceives as mass immigration.^[18][19] It also campaigns against unchecked immigration, says it would introduce a Dutch Values Protection Act and wants to ban Islamic face veils and other face coverings.^[20]

Election results

Parliament

Municipal

Provincial

European Parliament

Forum for Democracy participated since 2019 one time in the European elections.

Election year	List	# of overall votes	% of overall vote	# of overall seats won	+/–	Notes
2019	List	602,507	10.96 (#4)	3 / 26	3	[22][23][24]

Controversies

Forum for Democracy has, since it became active in politics, sparked controversy,^[25][26] especially surrounding allegations of racism against important FvD politicians,^[27] the FvD "left-wing indoctrination in education" hotline,^[28] and whether or not FvD is a far-right party.^[29] Many of these controversies surround party leader Baudet.^[30]

Party membership

Organisation

Leadership

Thierry Baudet, founder and leader of the party

Theo Hiddema, vice chairman of the party

• Leaders
  • Thierry Baudet (22 September 2016 – present)
• Chairmen
  • Thierry Baudet (22 September 2016 – 17 January 2017; 25 November 2017 – present)
  • Paul Frentrop (interim; 17 January 2017 – 24 November 2017)
• Vice Chairmen
  • Theo Hiddema (17 January 2017 – present)
• Leaders in the House of Representatives
  • Thierry Baudet (23 March 2017 – present)
• Lijsttrekker for the general election
  • Thierry Baudet (2017)

Party Board

• Chairman
  • Thierry Baudet
• Secretary
  • Rob Rooken
• Treasurer
  • Rob Rooken
• Communication and Campaign Affairs
  • Jeroen de Vries

References

External links

• (in Dutch)

Template:Political parties in the Netherlands

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