Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Forum voor Democratie

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Abbreviation
  
FvD

Founded
  
2015 (2015)

Political position
  
Right-wing

Leader
  
Thierry Baudet

Membership  (March 2017)
  
almost 5,000

Ideology
  
National conservatism Euroscepticism Fiscal conservatism Direct democracy E-democracy Right-wing populism

Forum for Democracy (Dutch: Forum voor Democratie; FvD) is a Dutch political party and former thinktank led by Thierry Baudet.

Contents

History

Forum for Democracy was established as a think tank, the main feat of the Forum campaigning for the 2016 Dutch Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement referendum. In september 2016 it was converted into a political party and announced to take part in the Dutch general election, 2017. In joining the democratic system they hope to change that system.

In March 2017 the FvD had approx. 5000 members

Ideology

One the major issues the party campaigns against is the perceived existence of a 'party-cartel', in which the main ruling parties of the country would divide power among themselves and conspire towards the same goals, despite claiming to be competitors. Furthermore, the party promises direct democracy through binding referenda.

The party opposes the EU and campaigns for a referendum about the Dutch EU membership. It also adopts a nationalist viewpoint in which the Dutch culture should be protected.

2017 Election campaign

As of 14 March 2017, Forum for Democracy is projected to win between 0 and 2 seats, or approximately 1% of votes, in an average between major polls. The party is attracting voters who formerly voted VVD.

Notable members

The bulk of the Forum's parliamental candidates do not have prior active experience in other political parties. The list of candidates includes medical specialists, financial experts and a member of the armed forces.

  • Thierry Baudet, jurist and historian
  • Theo Hiddema, lawyer
  • Paul Cliteur, professor of jurisprudence
  • Frank Ankersmit, professor of history
  • Susan Teunissen, sociologist and Captain in the Dutch Army

    • Program

    The party stands for the following points:

  • Binding referendums and people's initiatives, elected mayors and an elected Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
  • Government of business people so the most practical people govern the country, officals should reapply for their function when a new cabinet takes function.
  • Review and restructure the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (organization).
  • Stop delegating power to the European Union, instead give the power back to the nation states.
  • Reinstate border controls and no mass immigration.
  • Sustainability, environment and innovation through tax cuts for renewable energy, Sharing economy and Organic agriculture.
  • Investing in a defensible and able armed forces and expansion of Korps Nationale Reserve. Revert defence budget cuts.
  • High tax free bracket for everyone, abolishing taxes on gifts and inheritance and a radical simplification of tax brackets.
  • Drastic improvements of elementary and secondary education. Focus on quality of teaching personnel and rewards for quality.
  • Bold investments in digital infrastructure, easement of regulation and ensuring privacy.

    • References

    Forum voor Democratie Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA