View source for Organization:Forum for Democracy

'''Forum for Democracy''' ({{lang-nl|Forum voor Democratie}}, '''FvD''') is a [[Social:Conservatism|conservative]], Eurosceptic political party in the Netherlands, founded as a think tank by [[Biography:Thierry Baudet|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.<ref name=FT>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4520bb4c-07e3-11e7-97d1-5e720a26771b|publisher=Financial Times|date=14 March 2017|title=Populists seize the moment as Dutch fall out of love with EU|author=Joshua Chaffin}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mebius |first1=Dion |title=Politieke partijen beperken ledenverlies, Forum voor Democratie op drie na grootste |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/politieke-partijen-beperken-ledenverlies-forum-voor-democratie-op-drie-na-grootste~ba2b0fcc/ |accessdate=20 April 2019 |work=de Volkskrant |date=12 February 2019 |language=nl-NL}}</ref> The bulk of the Forum's parliamental candidates did not have prior active experience in other political parties.<ref name=Spectator>{{cite web|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/01/geert-wilders-doesnt-threaten-dutch-liberalism-hes-defending-it/|title=Geert Wilders doesn’t threaten Dutch liberalism: he’s defending it|date=28 January 2017|author=Douglas Murray}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/kandidatenlijst |title=Forum voor Democratie |publisher=Forumvoordemocratie.nl |accessdate=2017-05-10}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parool.nl/binnenland/uittocht-bij-forum-voor-democratie-houdt-aan~a4567887/|title=Uittocht bij Forum voor Democratie houdt aan - Binnenland - PAROOL|date=9 February 2018|website=Het Parool}}</ref>

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 ===
{{liberalism sidebar}}
FvD is a conservative liberal party and as such supports [[Finance:Economic liberalism|economic liberalism]].<ref name="conservative liberalism"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/economie|title=Economie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/belastingen|title=Belastingen|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/internet-privacy|title=Internet|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/privacy|title=Privacy|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref> The party is a proponent of drastic changes in elementary and secondary education, focusing on performance evaluations for teachers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/onderwijs|title=Onderwijs|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref> They want to expand the armed forces, expanding the National Reserve Corps and reverting defence budget cuts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/defensie|title=Defensie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref> In addition, the party has promoted plans to privatise the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep, a Dutch public broadcasting organisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/petities/sanering-npo|title=Sanering Publieke Omroep|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref name=FT/> The party promises direct democracy through binding referenda<ref name=Spectator/> as well as directly elected mayors and a directly elected Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/directe-democratie|title=Directe Democratie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/kartel-bestrijding|title=Kartelbestrijding|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/gekozen-minister-president|title=Gekozen minister-president|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref>

=== Immigration and European Union ===
{{conservatism sidebar}}
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.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-22/the-dutch-election-is-about-more-than-nationalism|title=The Dutch Election Is About More Than Nationalism|date=22 February 2017|author=Leonid Bershidsky}}</ref> For instance, the party is in favor of reinstating border controls and ending what it perceives as mass immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/wet-bnw|title=Wet Bescherming Nederlandse Waarden|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/immigratie-remigratie|title=Immigratie & Remigratie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/forum-for-democracy-netherlands-eu-referendum-pvv-fvd-mark-rutte-a8217956.html|title=New Dutch Eurosceptic party that wants Netherlands EU referendum now polling in second place|date=19 February 2018|website=The Independent}}</ref>

== Election results ==

=== Parliament ===
{| class=wikitable
! rowspan=2|Election year
! colspan=4|House of Representatives
! rowspan=2|Government
|-
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
|-
! 2017
| 187,162
| 1.8 (#13)
| {{Composition bar|2|150|hex={{Forum for Democracy/meta/color}}}}
| New
| {{no2|in opposition}}
|-
! rowspan=2|Election year
! colspan=4|Senate
! rowspan=2|Government
|-
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
|-
! 2019
|27,473
|15.87
| {{Composition bar|12|75|hex={{Forum for Democracy/meta/color}}}}
| New
| TBD
|-
|}

=== Municipal ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Election
!Municipality
!Votes
!Percentage
!Rank
!Seats 
!+/-
|-
!2018
|Amsterdam
|20,015
|5.77 
|8th
|{{composition bar|3|45|hex={{Forum for Democracy (Netherlands)/meta/color}}}}
|New
|-
|}

=== Provincial ===
{|class=wikitable
|-
!rowspan=2|Election
!colspan=5|Over all 12 provinces
!rowspan=2|Provincial-Executives
|-
!Votes
!Percentage
!Rank
!Seats 
!+/-
|-
!2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/PS20190320|title=Provinciale Staten 20 maart 2021}}</ref> 
|1,057,029	
|14.53
|1st
|{{composition bar|86|570|hex={{Forum for Democracy (Netherlands)/meta/color}}}}
|New
|TBA<!-- {{composition bar|?|12|hex={{Forum for Democracy (Netherlands)/meta/color}}}} -->
|}

== European Parliament ==
Forum for Democracy participated since 2019 one time in the European elections.
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election year
! List
! # of<br />overall votes
! % of<br />overall vote
! # of<br />overall seats won
! +/–
! Notes
|-
! 2019
| '''List'''
| 602,507
| 10.96 (#4)
| {{Composition bar|3|26|hex={{Forum for Democracy (Netherlands)/meta/color}}}}
| 3 {{increase}}
| <ref name="Electionresultspublicatoin">{{cite news|title=Kiesraad: Election results by election commission|url=https://www.kiesraad.nl/actueel/nieuws/2019/06/04/officiele-uitslag-europees-parlementsverkiezing-2019|publisher=Kiesraad|date=4 June 2019|accessdate=10 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="pdf">{{cite news|title=Kiesraad: PDF with all information about the European Parliament elections in 2019|url=https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2019/pvs-ep-2019/pv-uitslag-csb-ep-2019/proces-verbaal-verkiezingsuitslag-europees-parlement-2019|publisher=Kiesraad|date=4 June 2019|accessdate=10 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="historicEP2019results">{{cite news|title=Kiesraad: Data about European Electoins 2019 in the Netherlands|url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/EP20190523|publisher=Kiesraad|date=4 June 2019|accessdate=10 June 2019}}</ref>
|}

== Controversies ==
Forum for Democracy has, since it became active in politics, sparked controversy,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://nos.nl/l/2277026 |title=Baudet in buitenlandse media 'de Nederlandse Trump' |date=21 March 2019 |work=NOS |access-date=12 May 2019 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2 March 2018 |title=D66 en VVD woest op FvD'er Ramautarsing: 'homofobie' |url=https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/03/d66ers-woest-op-fvder-hij-is-homofoob-592167/ |magazine=Elsevier Weekblad |language=nl |access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> especially surrounding allegations of racism against important FvD politicians,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=9 February 2018 |title=Lijsttrekkers duiken met z'n allen op Baudet tijdens landelijk debat |url=https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/02/584686-584686/ |magazine=Elsevier Weekblad |language=nl |access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> the FvD "left-wing indoctrination in education" hotline,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://joop.bnnvara.nl/nieuws/tweede-kamer-spreekt-zich-uit-tegen-fvd-meldpunt-linkse-leraren |title=Tweede Kamer spreekt zich uit tegen FvD-meldpunt linkse leraren |date=9 April 2019 |work=Joop |access-date=12 May 2019 |language=nl}}</ref> and whether or not FvD is a far-right party.<ref name="Volkskrant right-wing or far-right" /> Many of these controversies surround party leader Baudet.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/thierry-baudet-net-als-trump |title=De digitale strategie van Thierry Baudet: ‘net als Trump’ |last=van der Sterren |first=Luuk |date=14 March 2017 |work=Follow The Money |access-date=12 May 2019 |language=nl-NL |url-access=limited}}</ref>

== Party membership ==
{|class="wikitable"
!Year!! Membership<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://ecomobility.org/|title=EcoMobility|website=EcoMobility|accessdate=September 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dnpprepo.ub.rug.nl/11137/1/lt_per01012018.pdf|title=Ledentallen Nederlandse politieke partijen per 1 januari 2016, 2017 en 2018|website=Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen|language=Dutch|accessdate=2 June 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2017 || 1,863
|-
|2018 || 22,884
|-
|2019 || 30,674
|}

== Organisation ==
=== Leadership ===
[[File:Thierry Baudet (2018).jpg|thumb|[[Biography:Thierry Baudet|Thierry Baudet]], founder and leader of the party]]
[[File: Theo Hiddema (2018).jpg|thumb|Theo Hiddema, vice chairman of the party]]
* Leaders
** [[Biography:Thierry Baudet|Thierry Baudet]] (22 September 2016 – present)
* Chairmen
** [[Biography:Thierry Baudet|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
** [[Biography:Thierry Baudet|Thierry Baudet]] (23 March 2017 – present)
* Lijsttrekker for the general election
** [[Biography:Thierry Baudet|Thierry Baudet]] (2017)

=== Party Board ===
* Chairman
** Thierry Baudet
* Secretary
** Rob Rooken
* [[Finance:Treasurer|Treasurer]]
** Rob Rooken
* Communication and Campaign Affairs
** Jeroen de Vries

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* {{nl icon}}

{{political parties in the Netherlands}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forum for Democracy (Netherlands)}}
[[Category:Digital rights organizations]]

{{Sourceattribution|Forum for Democracy|1}}