WELCOME THE VVD

VVD International is responsible for VVD’s international contacts and The People’s Party for and Democracy wants to give The VVD is a . It considers individual freedom, both in a collaborations. The main aim is realising, maintaining and enhancing relationships people the capacity to make something extraordinary out of their mental a material sense, as our greatest asset. Every human being with sister parties around the world and participating in international liberal lives in the . To not just let their lives pass by, but to has the right to and respect of their privacy, networks. One of the priorities is contributing to the capacity building of liberal let them live with fervour. integrity of their own body and self-determination. Freedom and parties in Eastern Europe, at the Balkans, the Middle East and Northern Africa. responsibility are inextricably linked. In freedom, each human The latter is made possible thanks to the MATRA programme of the Ministery of The VVD provides opportunities for the hard-working Dutchman being not only bears responsibility for himself, but also takes Foreign Affairs. who wants to give form and meaning to the future. For professionals account of the freedom of others, of the interests of the elderly, such as teachers, police officers and care workers. For people of future generations and of the free society as a whole. Over the past 25 years VVD International has successfully supported political with the guts to start their own business. The VVD wants to be movements abroad, through the deployment of our best trainers and there for everyone who wants to give meaning to their lives. Other liberal principles emanate from freedom and responsibility: experts in these areas, whom provide trainings in organization of debates, By not making people dependent on the government, but helping equality, tolerance and social justice. The VVD is open to anyone liberal principles and campaigning. Examples of successful collaborations them to stand on their own feet. who shares its liberal principles. The VVD wants to be a place for are the training of candidates of SMC (Slovenia) and Nasa Stranka (Bosnia anyone who wants to commit himself with reason and passion to and Herzegovina). But also the full support of (Tunesia) in The VVD is optimistic. About the future and the opportunities increasing the liberal content of society. the fields of campaigning, data and strengthening the party structure. for the future generations. About the Netherlands as a strong,

In this brochure you will find information about the VVD and the history of the leading country, in Europe and worldwide. The Netherlands has party, but also more on the work of VVD International and the collaboration with a rich tradition of initiative, optimism and boldness. The Dutch our partners. dream is closely tied to the liberal dream.

We hope to welcome you soon!

2 3 HISTORY

Liberals are writing history. The ideas of the liberal Thorbecke formed the basis of the Dutch Constitution, and our state system is based on his vision as well. The liberal party formation started in the late 19th century and on 24 January 1948 resulted in the founding of the People’s and Democracy: the VVD.

24 JANUARY 1948 1970S 1982 1994 1995 1998 31 MAY 2006 NOVEMBER 2006

Founding of the People’s Party As chairman of the Second Ed Nijpels, ’s suc- Under the leadership of Frits At the Provincial Council Under the leadership of is elected list leader During the Parliamentary for Freedom and Democracy Chamber faction (Parliament) of cessor, leads the VVD to a big Bolkestein, the VVD forms the elections the VVD becomes the , the VVD and chairman in the Second elections the VVD has a by and Dirk the VVD, Hans Wiegel brings the election victory: 36 seats in the first ‘purple’ Cabinet with the Netherlands’ largest party for wins 38 seats at the Chamber (Parliament) after a disappointing result: Stikker. Between 1948 and 1952 party much success. The VVD Second Chamber (Parliament). PvdA (the Dutch ). the first time. Parliamentary elections! close race with . 22 seats. the VVD participated in the Drees wins considerably at the 1977 I and Drees II Cabinets. elections.

2010 12 SEPTEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2015 2015 15 MARCH 2017 MAY 2019

The CDA-PvdA Cabinet falls. The VVD – CDA Cabinet with tacit The VVD’s party structure is is elected Mark Rutte does it again! After European Parliamentary Under the leadership of Mark support from the PVV falls. At the thoroughly amended. The party president of the ALDE party. With 33 seats the VVD is elections the VVD has now Rutte the VVD wins 31 seats at the Parliamentary elections the VVD goes ‘from stronghold the largest party at the 4 seats in the European Parliamentary elections. For the scores a historic election result to network’. Parliamentary elections. Parliament. first time, the VVD is the largest with no fewer than 41 seats. party in the Second Chamber (Parliament).

4 5 INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ALDE VVD GENERAL SECRETARIAT VVD INTERNATIONAL The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the liberal faction in the . You can find more information about ALDE here: https://alde.eu/en/. Telephone +31 70 361 30 31

E-mail [email protected] ELF Website https://international.vvd.nl/

The European (ELF) is a non-profit European political foundation. ELF brings think tanks, political foundations and institutions LETTERS from all over Europe together to observe, analyse and contribute to, for instance, the debate on European policy and the European VVD General Secretariat integration process through education, training and research. You can find more information about ELF here: https://www.liberalforum.eu/. Postbus 30836 LENNART SALEMINK GIJS HOUBEN DEBBIE VAN DE WIJNGAARD 2500 GV The Hague Lennart is a member of the natio- Gijs has worked for the VVD since After having been involved in three nal main board. He is responsible March 2018 as an International successful election campaigns in for VVD International, trainings Officer. He is responsible for the the campaign team of the VVD, VISIT and talent management. In addi- collaboration and relationships Debbie has been an International VVD General Secretariat tion, he is working at the Ministry with the sister parties and Officer as of August 2018. She works Liberal International is the worldwide federation of liberal political parties. You can find more information about Liberal International here: of I&W as head of the organisations in the Middle on projects in Eastern Europe, at Mauritskade 21 http://www.liberal-international.org/. Metropole region. Before that, East, Northern Africa and the the Balkans and the collaboration 2514 HD The Hague he used to be a policy officer of Caucasus. Liberal International with sister parties of the VVD within foreign affairs for the Second also belong to his portfolio. the ALDE. Chamber (Parliament) faction LIBSEEN and political advisor of minister Schultz. The Liberal South East European Network (LIBSEEN) was founded in 2008 to bring liberal political parties in the region together and contribute to the development of the region by implementing liberal policy in the politics of these countries. You can find more information CONTACT CONTACT CONTACT about LIBSEEN here: http://libseen.tumblr.com/. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

ARAB LIBERAL FEDERATION The (ALF) is an alliance of several Arab political parties and liberal activists who strive for a larger role of liberalism in their countries and societies. In collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), VVD International supports this initiative that ensures mutual sharing of knowledge and information.

6 7 NAL RNATIO INTE