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

External links

VVD website -- http://www.vvd.nl