Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie

The Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD), literally peoples party for freedom and democracy, is a liberal political party in the Netherlands.

The party was the only member of the "purple cabinets" led by Wim Kok to remain in power in Balkenende's cabinet in 2002, despite a large reduction in its representation in the Tweede Kamer (lower house of parliament). The party was formed on January 24, 1948, following in the tradition of the liberal parties Liberale Staatspartij (LSP) and Partij van de Vrijheid (PvdV).

Development of the number of seats in the Tweede Kamer, of the 150 total:

1948 - 8

1952 - 9

1956 - 13

1959 - 19

1963 - 16

1967 - 17

1971 - 16

1972 - 22

1977 - 28

1981 - 26

1982 - 36

1986 - 27

1989 - 22

1994 - 31 (represented in first cabinet of Wim Kok)

1998 - 38 (represented in second cabinet of Wim Kok)

2002 - 24 (represented in first Balkenende cabinet)

2003 - 28

Lijsttrekkers

Head of the candidate list for Tweede Kamer elections held in specified year:

• 1948 - Pieter Oud
• 1952 - Pieter Oud
• 1956 - Pieter Oud
• 1959 - Pieter Oud
• 1963 - Edzo Toxopeus
• 1967 - Edzo Toxopeus
• 1971 - Willem Geertsema
• 1972 - Hans Wiegel
• 1977 - Hans Wiegel
• 1981 - Hans Wiegel
• 1982 - Ed Nijpels
• 1986 - Ed Nijpels
• 1989 - Joris Voorhoeve
• 1994 - Frits Bolkestein
• 1998 - Frits Bolkestein
• 2002 - Hans Dijkstal
• 2003 - Gerrit Zalm

See also: Politics of the Netherlands, Political parties of the Netherlands

External links

VVD website -- " class="external">http://www.vvd.nl