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The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie; VVD) is a Dutch Liberal party. It currently participates in the Balkenende II Cabinet . PARTY HISTORY 1948-1971 The VVD was founded in 1948 as a continuation of the Freedom Party , which was continuation of the Liberal Political Party , a pre- War conservative-liberal party. They were joined by liberals from the social-democratic PvdA , led by Pieter Oud . The liberals from the PvdA were members of the pre-war left-liberal VDB , who had joined the PvdA in the post-war Doorbraak -movement. They were unhappy with the social-democratic orientation of the PvdA. Between 1948 and 1952 the VVD took part in the broad cabinets led by the social-democrat Drees . The party was a junior partner with only eight seats to the Catholic KVP and social-democratic PvdA, which both had around thirty seats. The party's leadership was in the hands of the respected former PvdA-member Oud. The Drees cabinet laid the foundation for the Welfare State and decolonization of the Dutch Indies . In the 1952 Elections the VVD gained one seat, but did not join government. They were rewarded for their opposition in 1956 , receiving thirteen seats. But they were still kept out of government until the 1959 elections, which were held early because of cabinet crisis. They earned nineteen seats and the party entered government together with the Protestant ARP and CHU and the Catholic KVP . In 1963 Oud left politics, and he was succeeded by the minister of Home Affairs Edzo Toxopeus . Toxopeus lost three seats in the 1963 elections, but the VVD remained in government. Meanwhile internal debate developed. In 1962 some progressive VVD members founded the Liberal Democratic Centre (Liberaal Democratisch Centrum; LDC) which was supposed to moved the VVD in a more progressive direction. In 1966 many of the LDC-members left the VVD and joined the newly founded social-liberal party D66 . In 1966 there was a conflict between the VVD-ministers and their Christian-democratic counterparts. The cabinet fell and without elections it was replaced by the social-democratic/Christian-democratic cabinet- Cals , which fell after a few months. In the following 1967 Elections the VVD remained relatively stable and entered the Cabinet- De Jong . 1971-now In the and middle class voters, who because of individualization and Depillarization were more easy to attract. The course was very profitable: in the heavily polarized Elections Of 1972 the VVD won six seats. The VVD was kept out of government by the social-democratic/Christian-democratic- Den Uyl . In 1977 the VVD again won six seats bringing its total to twenty-eight seats. When lengthy formation talks between the social-democrats and Christian-democrats finally led to final break the VVD formed a government with the Christian-democratic CDA , with only a majority of two seats. In the 1981 Elections the VVD lost two seats and its partner the CDA lost even more. The cabinet was without a majority and a CDA/PvdA/D66 cabinet was formed, which fell after a few months. In 1982 Hans Wiegel left politics to become Queen's Commissioner in Friesland , he was succeeded by Ed Nijpels . In the 1982 Elections Nijpels' VVD won ten seats, bringing its total up to 36. In entered government with the CDA again under CDA-leader Ruud Lubbers . The cabinet began a program of radical reform of the welfare state, which is still implemented today. The VVD lost nine seats in the 1986 Elections but the cabinet nonetheless retained its majority. This was blamed on the person of Nijpels, who stood down as leader of the VVD. He was succeeded by Joris Voorhoeve . In 1989 the CDA/VVD cabinet fell over a minor point. In the Subsequent Elections the VVD lost five seats, leaving only twenty-two. The VVD was kept out of government. Voorhoeve was replaced by the charismatic intellectual Frits Bolkestein . Bolkestein's VVD was one of the victors of the and the social-liberal D66 . The so-called Purple Cabinet led by Wim Kok . Like many of his predecessors the VVD-leader Bolkestein remained in parliament, his political style was characterized by some as "opposition to one's own government". This style was very successful and the VVD won seven seats in the 1998 Elections becoming the second party in parliament with thirty-eight seats. The VVD formed a Second Purple Cabinet with the PvdA and D66. Bolkestein left Dutch politics in 1999 to become European Commission er. He was replaced by the social-liberal Hans Dijkstal . In the heavily polarized 2002 Elections , dominated by the rise of Pim Fortuyn , the VVD lost fourteen seats, leaving only twenty-four. The VVD nonetheless entered a cabinet with the CDA and the populist LPF . Dijkstal stood down, he was replaced by the popular former minister of finance Gerrit Zalm . After a few months Zalm "pulled the plug" out of the VVD/CDA/LPF-cabinet. In the 2003 Elections the VVD won only four seats, making a total of twenty-eight. The party expected to do much better, having adopted most of Fortuyn's proposals on migration and integration. The VVD unwillingly entered the VVD/CDA/D66-cabinet with Zalm returning to the ministry of Finance. He was replaced as partyleader by Jozias Van Aartsen , former foreign minister. On September 2nd, 2004 , VVD MP Geert Wilders left the party after a dispute with parliamentary chairman Van Aartsen. He has chosen to continue as an independent or Een-mansfractie in the Tweede Kamer . In 2006 the party lost a considerable number of seats in the Municipal Elections , prompting parliamentary leader Jozias Van Aartsen to step down. Willibrord Van Beek was subsequently appointed parliamentary leader ad interim. Mark Rutte , Rita Verdonk and Jelleke Veenendaal are candidates in a party leadership Run-off to replace the parliamentary leader. NAME The VVD a merger of the Party of Freedom and Freethinking Democratic dissenters within the PvdA. In the name both tendencies, the conservative, bourgeois liberalism ("Freedom") and the more progressive liberalism ("People's Party"; "Democracy") are present. Although a liberal party, the VVD took not up the cause to call itself "liberal", mainly because of the still lingering 'negative' connotations of liberalism after the Great Depression . IDEOLOGY & ISSUES The VVD is a liberal party, traditionally being the most ardent supporter of ' Free Market s' of all Dutch political parties, promoting Fiscal responsibility, Democracy and international cooperation, and in general committed to the idea of the Welfare State . After 1971 the party became more Populist , although Conservative elements remain within the party. The most important principle for the VVD has always been the individual Freedom of the individual. The principles of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) are outlined in the ''Liberal Manifesto'' ("Liberaal Manifest") and the election programs. The ''Liberal Manifesto'' details the principles and foundations of the party, and is a general outlook on the direction of the party. The election programs are more oriented to practicial Politics . ''Liberal Manifesto'' The last ''Liberal Manifesto'' of the VVD was published in September , 2005 . It develops a broad outline around the themes of Democracy , Security , Freedom and Citizenship , along with a vision of the future of party's internal structure. Below some of the points from the Manifesto are presented: Democracy
Security
Freedom
Citizenship
Election program The next Parliamentary elections in the Netherlands are in 2007 . The VVD has setup a program commission chaired by BT executive Ben Verwaayen . The concept program is due to be released in September , 2006 . The members of the VVD will then have a final vote on the program on January 27 , 2007 . REPRESENTATION Leadership The party currently holds an Election on the question who will become the new political leader of the VVD. Chairman Of The Lower House Parliamentary Party :2006 - Willibrord Van Beek ad interim : 2003 - 2006 Jozias Van Aartsen : 2002 -2003 Gerrit Zalm : 1998 -2002 Hans Dijkstal : 1990 -1998 Frits Bolkestein : 1986 -1990 Joris Voorhoeve : 1982 -1986 Ed Nijpels : 1981 -1982 Hans Wiegel : 1977 -1981 Koos Rietkerk : 1971 -1977 Hans Wiegel : 1969 -1971 Willem Geertsema : 1965 -1969 Edzo Toxopeus : 1963 -1965 Willem Geertsema : 1948 -1963 Pieter Oud Lijsttrekker :2003 Gerrit Zalm :2002 Hans Dijkstal :1998 Frits Bolkestein :1994 Frits Bolkestein :1989 Joris Voorhoeve :1986 Ed Nijpels :1982 Ed Nijpels :1981 Hans Wiegel :1977 Hans Wiegel :1972 Hans Wiegel :1971 Willem Geertsema :1967 Edzo Toxopeus :1963 Edzo Toxopeus :1959 Pieter Oud :1956 Pieter Oud :1952 Pieter Oud :1948 Pieter Oud Ministers The VVD is part of the second cabinet Balkenende and supplies six ministers and four junior ministers (staatssecretarissen). Ministers:
Staatssecretarissen:
Members of the Lower House of Parliament Development of the number of seats in the Lower House, of the 150 available between 1956 and now and 100 before 1956: 2004 - 27 : 2003 - 28 : 2002 - 24 : 1998 - 38 : 1994 - 31 : 1989 - 22 : 1986 - 27 : 1982 - 36 : 1981 - 26 : 1977 - 28 : 1972 - 22 : 1971 - 16 : 1967 - 17 : 1963 - 16 : 1959 - 19 : 1956 - 13 : 1952 - 9 : 1948 - 8 After the 2003 elections the party has 27 representatives in the Lower House Of Parliament :
Members of the Higher House of Parliament Development of the number of seats in the Higher House , of the 75 available between 1956 and now and 50 before 1956: : 2003 - 15 : 1999 - 19 : 1995 - 23 : 1991 - 12 : 1987 - 12 : 1986 - 16 : 1983 - 17 : 1981 - 12 : 1980 - 13 : 1977 - 15 : 1974 - 12 : 1971 - 8 : 1969 - 8 : 1966 - 8 : 1963 - 7 : 1960 - 8 : 1956 - 7 : 1955 - 4 : 1952 - 4 : 1951 - 4 : 1948 - 3 After the 2003 Lower House elections the party has 15 representatives in the Lower House :
Members of the European Parliament Development of the number of seats in the European Parliament , of the between 600 to 700 available: : 2004 - 4 : 1999 - 6 : 1994 - 6 : 1989 - 3 : 1984 - 5 : 1979 - 4 VVD MEPs are part of the European Liberal, Democrat And Reform Party . After the 2004 European Parliament elections the party has 4 representatives in the European Parliament :
Muncipal and Provincial Government Provincial government The VVD provides three of twelve Queen's Commissioners, former party-leader Ed Nijpels is Queen's Commissioner in Friesland. The VVD is part of every college of Gedeputeerde Staten (provincial executive) except for Groningen Municipal government 109 of the 414 Dutch Mayors are member of the VVD. Furthermore the party has about 250 Aldermen and 1100 members of Municipal Councils . ELECTORATE The electorate of the VVD historically consisted out of Atheist and Latitudinarian Protestant voters out of Higher and Middle Classes . This group still forms an important part of its electorate, but especially under the leadership of Wiegel the VVD has branched out to Lower Classes . ORGANIZATION Organizational structure The highest organ of the VVD is the General Assembly, it is formed by delegates from the municipal branches. It convenes once every year. It appoints the party board and decides the order of the First Chamber, Second Chamber, European Parliament candidates list and has the last say over the party program. Since 2002 the General Assembly can write out a Referendum under all members. The Lijsttrekker of the Second Chamber candidate list is expected to elected this way. The chairman of all the branches form the Party Council, which advises the Party Board in the months that the General Assembly does not convene. This is important forum within the party. Some journalists call these chairmen the "party barons" of the party Linked organisations The youth-organization of the VVD is the Youth Organisation for Freedom and Democracy (Jongeren Organisatie voor Vrijheid en Democratie; JOVD), which as a member of the Liberal Youth Movement Of The European Union and the International Federation Of Liberal And Radical Youth . The education institute of the VVD is the Haya van Someren Foundation. The Scientific institute Prof.mr. B.M. Telders Foundation publishes the magzine Liberal Reveil every two months. The party published the magazine Politics! (Politiek!) quarterly. International organisations The VVD is a member of the European Liberal, Democrat And Reform Party (ELDR), the party of Liberals and Democrats in the European Union, which is a component of Alliance Of Liberals And Democrats For Europe . Internationally it is a member of the Liberal International . Pillarized organisations The Pillarization around the VVD has always been very weak. The broadcasters AVRO and TROS , and the news papers NRC Handelsblad and the Financiële Telegraaf are relatively friendly to the VVD. Relationships to other parties The VVD has always been a relatively isolated party. The VVD cooperates on the European and the international level with the social-liberal D66 . It has a long history of cabinet of cooperation with the CDA and its Christian-democratic predecessors. INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON The VVD is a more conservative liberal party, and is comparable to the German FDP . It is more similar to the British Conservatives than the Liberal Democrats . In the United States it is similar to centrist and liberal Republican s, like John McCain and Rudy Giuliani . SEE ALSO
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