Forum for Democracy: A Deep Dive into the Dutch Far-Right Party

Forum for Democracy (FvD) is a far-right political party in the Netherlands with a history rooted in conservative liberalism and Euroscepticism. Founded in 2015 as a believe tank by Thierry Baudet and Henk Otten, it officially registered as a political party in 2016. The party has experienced fluctuating levels of support and continues to be a significant, though controversial, force in Dutch politics.

Origins and Ideology

Initially conceived as a conservative liberal and Eurosceptic movement, FvD quickly positioned itself on the right-wing of the Dutch political spectrum. According to Wikipedia, the party’s early focus was on opposing Dutch membership in the European Union, advocating for political reform, and protecting Dutch culture. Over time, the party’s ideology has evolved, now being largely described as national conservatism and right-wing populism.

Key Figures

Thierry Baudet is the founder and leader of Forum for Democracy. FVD International details that Baudet has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017 and also serves as the party’s parliamentary leader. He holds a PhD in philosophy from Leiden University, with his doctoral thesis focusing on national identity, European identity, and multiculturalism. The FvD website notes that Baudet studied law and history before earning his doctorate.

Henk Otten was a co-founder of the party, alongside Baudet.

Electoral Performance and Current Representation

FvD first participated in the 2017 general election, securing two seats in the House of Representatives. The party experienced a surge in popularity in subsequent years, particularly in the 2019 Dutch provincial elections. As of March 16, 2026, FvD holds 7 out of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, 3 out of 75 seats in the Senate, and 15 out of 570 seats in the States-Provincial. The party currently has no representation in the European Parliament. Wikipedia reports a membership of 70,687 as of 2026.

European Affiliation

Forum for Democracy is currently affiliated with the Europe of Sovereign Nations Party, having joined in 2024. Previously, between 2022 and 2024, its members in the European Parliament were Non-Inscrits.

Controversies and Current Focus

Recent reports indicate that Forum for Democracy continues to face scrutiny and criticism. Despite ongoing controversies, the party appears unconcerned with these issues, focusing instead on increasing its “presence” in municipalities, particularly in the Brabant region. Wikiwand highlights the party’s continued presence in Dutch politics despite ongoing challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Forum for Democracy was founded in 2015 and registered as a political party in 2016.
• Thierry Baudet is the founder and current leader of the party.
• FvD’s ideology has evolved from conservative liberalism and Euroscepticism to national conservatism and right-wing populism.
• The party holds seats in the Dutch House of Representatives, Senate, and States-Provincial.
• FvD is currently affiliated with the Europe of Sovereign Nations Party.