Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie : VVD

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 -- http://www.vvd.nl

Common misspelling and questions (FAQ)

vd  vd  vv  vvd  vdv  vv  vvvd  vvvd  vvdd  fvd  cvd  gvd  gvd  bvd  vfd  vcd  vgd  vgd  vbd  vve  vvs  vvx  vvr  vvc  vvr  vvf  vvc  vvds 


We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry. But we looked into a fire, we leaned across a table, And the whistles kept blowing, and the dawn came soon. We were very tired, we were very merry-- And you ate an apple, and I ate a pear, And the sky went wan, and the wind came cold, We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry. And bought a morning paper, which neither of us read; And we gave her all our money but our subway fares. Well, what is that to you? So much is true. And why you come complaining I loved you Wednesday,--yes--but what To the Not Impossible Him How shall I know, unless I go Whether or not this blessed spot Is this beneath my nose; The Carthaginian rose? The fabric of my faithful love Whilst I stay here,--but oh, my dear, Macdougal Street As I went walking up and down to take the evening air, I saw him lay his hand upon her torn black hair; (Lay me out in organdie, lay me out in lawn!) (Lord God in Heaven, will it never be dawn?) The fruit-carts and clam-carts were ribald as a fair, She had haggled from the fruit-man of his rotting ware; (Sweet to meet upon the street, why did you glance me by?) (What can there be to cry about that I should lie and cry?) .