Editing Forum voor Democratie

{{Plagiarism|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_for_Democracy}}{{Evil Organization|fullname=Forum voor Democratie|origin=The Netherlands|headquarters=Amsterdam|commanders=[[Thierry Baudet]]|goals=Destroy the mainstream parties (the so-called 'partijkartel' (ongoing)<br> Leave the European Union (ongoing)<br>Make racism and antisemitism mainstream (ongoing)<br> Destroy George Soros (ongoing)|crimes=[[Xenophobia]]<br>[[Racism]]<br>[[Propaganda]]<br>[[Anti-Semitism]]<br>[[Authoritarianism]]<br> [[COVID denialism]] <br> [[Anti-vaxxers|Antivaxxing]] <br> [[Transphobia]]<br>[[Homophobia]]<br>[[Anti-European Sentiment]]|type of villain=Racists and antisemites}}

'''Forum voor Democratie (English: for Democracy)''' is a far right Dutch political party, founded by [[Thierry Baudet]] and Henk Otten in 2016.  
==History==
The FvD was established as a [[think tank]] whose main feat was campaigning in the [[2016 Dutch Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement referendum]] against the EU in general.<ref name="FT">{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4520bb4c-07e3-11e7-97d1-5e720a26771b|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=14 March 2017|title=Populists seize the moment as Dutch fall out of love with EU|author=Joshua Chaffin}}</ref>

In September 2016, it converted itself into a political party and announced its intention to take part in the [[2017 Dutch general election|2017 general election]], where the FvD ended up with 1.8% of the vote and 2 seats, entering parliament for the first time. In February 2019, the FvD had nearly 31,000 members.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mebius |first1=Dion |title=Politieke partijen beperken ledenverlies, Forum voor Democratie op drie na grootste |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/politieke-partijen-beperken-ledenverlies-forum-voor-democratie-op-drie-na-grootste~ba2b0fcc/ |access-date=20 April 2019 |work=de Volkskrant |date=12 February 2019 |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

In February 2018, the party suffered from internal issues with a number of prominent members leaving the party because they felt the party had a lack of internal democracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parool.nl/binnenland/uittocht-bij-forum-voor-democratie-houdt-aan~a4567887/|title=Uittocht bij Forum voor Democratie houdt aan - Binnenland - PAROOL|date=9 February 2018|website=Het Parool}}</ref>

In the [[2018 Dutch municipal elections|2018 municipal elections]], the FvD won three seats on the [[Amsterdam]] city council.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} The party only stood in Amsterdam. In Rotterdam however it endorsed the [[Livable Rotterdam]] party.<ref>[https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/actueel/fvd-en-leefbaar-rotterdam-starten-alliantie FvD en Leefbaar Rotterdam starten alliantie!] Forum voor Democratie, 13 juni 2017.</ref> During the [[2019 Dutch provincial elections|2019 provincial elections]], Forum for Democracy won 86 seats, spread across [[Dutch provinces|the twelve provinces of the Netherlands]]. In [[South Holland]], [[North Holland]], and [[Flevoland]], FvD became the largest party, winning 11, 9 and 8 seats respectively. In all other provinces, the party came either second or third in terms of numbers of votes. As populists, the bulk of the Forum's nominated parliamentary candidates did not have prior active experience in other political parties.<ref name="Spectator">{{cite web|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/01/geert-wilders-doesnt-threaten-dutch-liberalism-hes-defending-it/|title=Geert Wilders doesn't threaten Dutch liberalism: he's defending it|date=28 January 2017|author=Douglas Murray}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/kandidatenlijst |title=Forum voor Democratie |publisher=Forumvoordemocratie.nl |access-date=2017-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315000744/https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/kandidatenlijst |archive-date=2017-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 30 April 2020, Forum for Democracy formed a coalition with the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA) in the North Brabant province, the first time the party had formally entered into the administration of a regional authority.<ref>[https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2020/04/cda-members-in-brabant-say-yes-to-alliance-with-far-right-fvd/ CDA members in Brabant say ‘yes’ to alliance with far-right FvD], dutchnews.nl, April 30, 2020, accessed 7 December 2020</ref> In late 2020, former [[VVD]] MP [[Wybren van Haga]] defected to the party. Van Haga left FVD six months after that.

In April and November 2020, the party became split following a series of controversies related to members of the FvD's youth wing making comments that were deemed to contain [[racism]] and [[homophobia]]. Baudet was also accused of endorsing antisemitic conspiracies, something he denied. This led to calls for Baudet to be removed as FvD leader and he temporarily stepped down. In December 2020, it was announced that Baudet had returned as party leader and would lead the FvD into the [[2021 Dutch general election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nltimes.nl/2020/12/27/fvd-presents-candidate-list-election-program-party-wants-netherlands-leave-eu|title=FvD presents candidate list and election program, party wants The Netherlands to leave the EU "in an intelligent way"|website=NL Times}}</ref>

At the 2021 general election, the party campaigned against [[COVID-19]] lockdown measures imposed by the Dutch government and managed to win eight MPs. Also, the issue of racist comments from youth members was brought up again as proof of these comments surfaced.<ref>{{cite news |title=Elsevier Weekblad: Baudet verstuurde zelf ook racistische appjes|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2367965-elsevier-weekblad-baudet-verstuurde-zelf-ook-racistische-appjes/ |access-date=13 March 2022 |work=NOS |date=9 February 2021 |language=nl-NL}}</ref> One of the accused youth members, [[Gideon van Meijeren]], was elected into parliament, as was youth wing chairman [[Freek Jansen]].

In May 2021, three of the FvD MPs (Van Haga, [[Hans Smolders]] and [[Olaf Ephraim]]) left the party to sit as independents in response to the FvD releasing a poster comparing the lockdown to the [[Nazi occupation of the Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Van Haga neemt afstand van 5 mei-poster van Forum voor Democratie|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2379598-van-haga-neemt-afstand-van-5-mei-poster-van-forum-voor-democratie|work=NOS|date=6 May 2021|access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Van Haga en twee Kamerleden breken met Forum voor Democratie|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/05/13/van-haga-en-twee-kamerleden-splitsen-af-van-forum-voor-democratie-a4043462|last=Peek|first=Simone|work=NRC Handelsblad|date=13 May 2021|access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Scheuring in Forum: Kamerlid Van Haga splitst zich af met twee anderen|url=https://nos.nl/l/2380516|work=nos.nl|access-date=2021-05-13}}</ref>

In 2022, the FvD regained representation in the European Parliament when [[Marcel de Graaff]] defected to the party. As a result, the FvD became a member of the [[Identity and Democracy]] group instead of the [[European Conservatives and Reformists]] (ECR). There are some reports{{which|date=April 2022}} that FvD was expelled from ECR in 2021, despite FvD displaying ECR on its own website.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} In March 2022, two of the party's Senators (Frentrop and Hiddema) resigned to sit as independents.<ref>[https://www.eerstekamer.nl/fractie/frentrop Fractie-Frentrop], Eerste Kamer, geraadpleegd 31 maart 2022.</ref>
==Ideology and political positions==
The FvD has been described as ideologically [[national conservative]],<ref>{{cite web|work=Europe Elects|title=Netherlands|access-date=14 March 2020|url=https://europeelects.eu/european-union/netherlands/}}</ref><ref name="auto2" /> [[conservative liberal]],<ref name="economic liberalism" /> [[Eurosceptic]], and [[right-wing populist]].<ref name="auto1" /> On its official platform, the FvD declares itself to be a movement rather than a party with a focus on protecting Dutch sovereignty, identity, and cultural and intellectual property. The party wants stricter immigration and integration policies, calling for the protection of high culture and "Judeo-Christian values". The FvD is also opposed to the integration of the [[European Union]] which it claims will lead to eventual [[Eurofederalism]] and supports a referendum on Dutch membership of EU.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fvd.nl/standpunten|title=Standpunten &#124; Stem Nederland terug.|website=Forum voor Democratie}}</ref> In the Dutch newspaper ''[[Het Financieele Dagblad]]'', historian and philosopher Joseef Eanders has described the FvD as containing various factions, including members sympathetic to the ideas of [[Ayn Rand]] and [[Michel Houellebecq]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wanders|first=Joseef|date=9 May 2019|title=Baudet wil het onmogelijke: Ayn Rand verenigen met Houellebecq|url=https://fd.nl/opinie/1300641/fvd-wil-het-onmogelijke-ayn-rand-verenigen-met-michel-houellebecq|url-status=live|access-date=19 October 2021|website=Het Financieele Dagblad|language=nl}}</ref> The FvD has also been described as one of several comtemporary conservative-populist parties in the Netherlands that have been inspired by or inherited the mantle of the defunct [[Pim Fortuyn List]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ecpr.eu/Events/Event/PaperDetails/58970|title = The Rise and Fall of the Dutch Forum for Democracy (FVD)}}</ref>

The party initially focused on drawing support from former [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD) voters who felt the VVD had grown too soft on the policy areas of European Union and immigration, but saw the [[Party for Freedom]] as too hardline, and tried recruiting candidates who came from professional rather than political backgrounds.<ref>[https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/panels/opiniepanel/alle-uitslagen/item/de-aantrekkingskracht-van-baudet/ De aantrekkingskracht van Baudet], ''EenVandaag'', 5 September 2017. Geraadpleegd op 31 October 2017.</ref> The FvD has been accused of cultivating popularity among the [[alt-right]] movement, although the party does not identify itself as such.<ref name="Alt-right">{{cite web|title=Alt-right-beweging juicht op het web hard voor Baudet|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/03/16/alt-right-beweging-juicht-op-het-web-hard-voor-baudet-7415174-a1550730|work=NRC Handelsblad|date=2017-03-16}}</ref>

In the European parliament, the FvD sat with the [[European Conservatives and Reformists]] group before joining [[Identity and Democracy]] in 2022.
===Economy===
FvD is a [[Conservative-liberal|conservative-liberal]] party and supports [[economic liberalism]].<ref name="economic liberalism" /> The party is a proponent of the introduction of a high tax-free bracket for everyone, the abolition of taxes on gifts and inheritance and a radical simplification of tax brackets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/economie|title=Economie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/belastingen|title=Belastingen|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/internet-privacy|title=Internet|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/privacy|title=Privacy|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> The party is a proponent of drastic changes in elementary and secondary education, focusing on performance evaluations for teachers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/onderwijs|title=Onderwijs|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> It wants to expand the armed forces, expanding the [[National Reserve Corps]] and reverting defense budget cuts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/defensie|title=Defensie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref>
===Electoral reform===
One of the major issues the party campaigns against is the perceived existence of a "party cartel" in which the main ruling parties of the country divide power among themselves and work towards the same goals despite claiming to be competitors.<ref name="FT" /> The party promises [[direct democracy]] through binding [[referendum|referenda]]<ref name="Spectator" /> as well as directly elected mayors and a directly elected [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Prime Minister]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/directe-democratie|title=Directe Democratie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/kartel-bestrijding|title=Kartelbestrijding|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> The party is also in favor of the government consisting of apolitical experts in their respective fields ("[[technocracy]]"), and top civil servants having to reapply for their positions whenever a new cabinet is formed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/gekozen-minister-president|title=Gekozen minister-president|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref>
===Immigration and European Union===
The party states that it supports protecting European civilization and wants free trade between European nations and the world but is opposed to the [[European Union]] (EU) and the [[Eurozone]]. The party calls for an immediate end to EU enlargement and for the Netherlands to use every veto possible to prevent the EU from becoming a Federal Superstate. It also supports referendums and Dutch withdrawal from the Eurozone and the [[Schengen agreement]]. FvD also wants a renegotiation of Dutch membership of the EU followed by a binding referendum on EU membership and an "intelligent exit" (Nexit) from the EU if it cannot be reformed and terms cannot be met.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/europese-unie|title=Europese Unie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref>

The FvD also adopts a [[Cultural nationalism|nationalist]] viewpoint in which the Dutch culture should be protected.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-22/the-dutch-election-is-about-more-than-nationalism|title=The Dutch Election Is About More Than Nationalism|date=22 February 2017|author=Leonid Bershidsky|newspaper=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> The party is in favor of reinstating border controls and ending what it perceives as mass immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/wet-bnw|title=Wet Bescherming Nederlandse Waarden|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/immigratie-remigratie|title=Immigratie & Remigratie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> It also campaigns against unchecked immigration, says it would introduce a Dutch Values Protection Act. The party supports freedom of religion and calls for equal treatment of all citizens regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation, but is also against any further influence of Islamic culture on Dutch society, supports a crackdown on forced or child marriages and wants to ban Islamic face veils and other face coverings. The FvD also opposes foreign funding of Islamic schools and institutions, and argues that all schools in the Netherlands should subscribe to "Judeo-Christian values."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/forum-for-democracy-netherlands-eu-referendum-pvv-fvd-mark-rutte-a8217956.html|title=New Dutch Eurosceptic party that wants Netherlands EU referendum now polling in second place|date=19 February 2018|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/wet-bnw|title=Wet Bescherming Nederlandse Waarden|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> FvD also states that immigrants who do not wish to integrate should be offered incentives to return to their native country and that whenever possible asylum seekers should be processed off Dutch soil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fvd.nl/aanpakken-immigratie|title=Aanpakken immigratie|website=Forum voor Democratie}}</ref>
===Criminal justice===
The party calls for a reform of the Dutch justice system, increased funding for the Dutch police force, tougher penalties against those convicted of violent crimes and where possible for non-naturalized immigrants found guilty of serious crimes to be deported and tried in their country of origin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/veiligheid-justitie|title=Veiligheid & Justitie|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref>
===Environmental and social policies===
FvD calls for a gradual legalization of soft drugs but also supports reducing the number of [[Coffeeshop (Netherlands)|cannabis coffee shops]] within the vicinity of schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/drugs|title=Drugs|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> The party also calls for a reduction in the use of plastic, more support for the agricultural economy, sustainable farming and tougher laws against animal cruelty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/standpunten/dierenwelzijn-milieu|title=Dierenwelzijn & milieu|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> In the spring of 2019, the party, endorsing a [[climate change denial]]ist platform, intensively campaigned against large state investments in [[renewable energy]], leading to a victory in the provincial elections.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/02/23/de-ongemakkelijke-feitentwist-van-thierry-baudet-a3655130 |title=De ongemakkelijke 'feitentwist' van Thierry Baudet |last1=de Witt Wijnen |first1=Philip |date=23 February 2019 |work=NRC |access-date=16 May 2019 |last2=Rutten |first2=Rik |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=den Hartog |first1=Tobias |title=Baudet moet de Wilders worden die wél levert |url=https://www.ad.nl/politiek/baudet-moet-de-wilders-worden-die-wel-levert~abaf605b/ |access-date=17 April 2019 |work=AD |date=6 March 2019 |language=nl-NL}}</ref> Later that year, it also supported protests by Dutch farmers against enforcing legislation on nitrogen emissions.
===Society and culture===
FvD supports [[high culture]]. It argues for the protection of Dutch culture and "European classical music, art and knowledge." It is critical of modern architecture, calling for both new government buildings to be constructed in a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style and for city planning that "fits within a historical view." FvD also supports the establishment of a commission to protect historic monuments from destruction, wants [[Frysk]] to be retained as a second state language, calls for schools to teach about "beautiful things that the West has produced" and supports free museum admission for all Dutch citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fvd.nl/kunst-cultuur-en-erfgoed|title=Kunst, cultuur en erfgoed|website=Forum voor Democratie}}</ref> However, the party has also promoted plans to defund and privatize the [[Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (organization)|Nederlandse Publieke Omroep]], a Dutch public broadcasting organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/petities/sanering-npo|title=Sanering Publieke Omroep|publisher=Forum voor Democratie|access-date=14 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315000845/https://forumvoordemocratie.nl/petities/sanering-npo|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Controversies==
Since it became active in politics, FvD has sparked [[controversy]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 March 2019|title=Baudet in buitenlandse media 'de Nederlandse Trump'|language=nl|work=NOS|url=https://nos.nl/l/2277026|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2 March 2018|title=D66 en VVD woest op FvD'er Ramautarsing: 'homofobie'|url=https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/03/d66ers-woest-op-fvder-hij-is-homofoob-592167/|magazine=Elsevier Weekblad|language=nl|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> especially regarding allegations of [[racism]] against important FvD politicians,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=9 February 2018|title=Lijsttrekkers duiken met z'n allen op Baudet tijdens landelijk debat|url=https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/02/584686-584686/|magazine=Elsevier Weekblad|language=nl|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> the FvD "left-wing [[indoctrination]] in education" [[hotline]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 April 2019|title=Tweede Kamer spreekt zich uit tegen FvD-meldpunt linkse leraren|language=nl|work=Joop|url=https://joop.bnnvara.nl/nieuws/tweede-kamer-spreekt-zich-uit-tegen-fvd-meldpunt-linkse-leraren|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> and whether or not the FvD is a [[Far-right politics|far-right]] party.<ref name="Volkskrant right-wing or far-right" /> Many of these controversies surround party leader Baudet.<ref>{{Cite news|last=van der Sterren|first=Luuk|date=14 March 2017|title=De digitale strategie van Thierry Baudet: 'net als Trump'|language=nl-NL|work=Follow The Money|url=https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/thierry-baudet-net-als-trump|url-access=limited|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref>

In April 2020, [[HP/De Tijd]] revealed instances of [[antisemitism]], homophobia and [[glorification]] of [[Anders Breivik]] and [[Brenton Tarrant]] in online [[WhatsApp]] groups associated with FvD's youth wing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=van Dijk|first=Ton|date=2020-04-28|title=FvD-jongeren 'fascistisch' en 'antisemitisch' in appgroepen|url=https://www.hpdetijd.nl/2020-04-28/forum-voor-democratie-jongeren-fascistisch-en-antisemitisch-in-app-groep/|access-date=2020-05-01|website=HP/De Tijd|language=nl}}</ref> FvD later investigated these instances and discharged three members from the political party. Three additional members were also suspended.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ANP|date=2020-05-01|title=Forum voor Democratie royeert leden om extreemrechtse en antisemitische whatsappjes|url=https://www.trouw.nl/gs-b44f9194|access-date=2020-09-03|website=Trouw|language=nl-NL}}</ref> More similar messages were revealed in November by newspaper ''[[Het Parool]]'' which published an article about extremist comments made by members the party's youth organization.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/artikel/2358095-crisisdagen-bij-forum-voor-democratie-wat-er-tot-nu-toe-gebeurde.html |website = [[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |language = Dutch |access-date = 28 November 2020 |date = 25 November 2020 |title = Crisisdagen bij Forum voor Democratie, wat er tot nu toe gebeurde |trans-title = Days of crisis at Forum for Democracy, what has happened so far }}</ref>

In response, a committee of inquiry was set up with some FvD politicians such as [[Theo Hiddema]] arguing that the youth wing should be disbanded and others stating the FvD should follow the example of the [[Sweden Democrats]] by disassociating the youth-wing.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/artikel/2358095-crisisdagen-bij-forum-voor-democratie-wat-er-tot-nu-toe-gebeurde.html |website = [[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |language = Dutch |access-date = 28 November 2020 |date = 25 November 2020 |title = Crisisdagen bij Forum voor Democratie, wat er tot nu toe gebeurde |trans-title = Days of crisis at Forum for Democracy, what has happened so far }}</ref> Baudet also resigned as [[lijsttrekker]] and was temporarily replaced by [[Lennart van der Linden]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Baudet geen lijsttrekker en leider meer van Forum voor Democratie|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2357810-baudet-geen-lijsttrekker-en-leider-meer-van-forum-voor-democratie.html|website=NOS|language=nl}}</ref> The day after Baudet resigned as leader, vice-leader Theo Hiddema vacated his seat in the Tweede Kamer for "personal reasons," although some media outlets opined that it was due to controversies within the party.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiddema (FvD) verlaat per direct de Tweede Kamer |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2357914-hiddema-forum-verlaat-per-direct-de-tweede-kamer.html |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref> The following day, [[Senate (Netherlands)|Senator]] [[Paul Cliteur]] also resigned from his position as Senate leader while remaining a member of the party. On 26 November 2020, FvD Senator [[Nicki Pouw-Verweij]] released a letter alleging multiple incidents during a dinner on 20 November, including Baudet making antisemitic statements claiming that the [[COVID-19]] lockdowns were concocted by [[George Soros]] and lashing out at colleague [[Joost Eerdmans]]. Baudet denied the accusations.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=den Hartog|first1=Tobias|last2=Winterman|first2=Peter|date=25 November 2020|title=FvD-senator: 'Baudet gelooft in complottheorieën over corona'|url=https://www.ad.nl/politiek/fvd-senator-baudet-gelooft-in-complottheorieen-over-corona~ab1b628d/|website=[[Algemeen Dagblad|AD]]}}</ref>

In December 2020, Baudet reversed his actions and announced the party would hold a leadership contest. The FvD's board announced an internal referendum on whether to expel Baudet from the party and replace him with a new leader. This took place on 3 December 2020, with 76% of FvD members voting in favour of Baudet remaining in the party and he subsequently resumed his role as leader.<ref>{{cite news|last=den Hartog|first=Tobias|date=4 December 2020|title=Baudet wint referendum, Europarlementariërs breken met partij|publisher=[[Algemeen Dagblad]]|access-date=25 December 2020|url=https://www.ad.nl/politiek/baudet-wint-referendum-europarlementariers-breken-met-partij~af194201/}}</ref> In protest at the outcome, the FvD's three MEPs, seven of its Senators and some of its parliamentary candidates for the upcoming general election resigned to sit as independents before joining the [[JA21]] party founded by former FvD members who had left due to the youth wing controversies.
==Split-off parties==
In August 2019, former FvD senator and founding member Henk Otten announced he had registered ''[[Group Otten]]'' (GO) as a new political party.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2294940-forum-voor-democratie-zet-senator-henk-otten-uit-de-partij.html |title=Forum voor Democratie zet senator Henk Otten uit de partij |website=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |date=24 July 2019 |accessdate=26 August 2019}}</ref> GO currently has two seats in the [[Senate (Netherlands)|Senate]] and one seat in the [[European Parliament]] which were taken up by former FvD members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fractie-Otten |url=https://www.eerstekamer.nl/fractie/otten |website=Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal |access-date=15 December 2020 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Partij GO van Henk Otten krijgt zetel in Europarlement |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/partij-go-van-henk-otten-krijgt-zetel-in-europarlement~ba347444/ |website=Trouw |access-date=15 December 2020 |language=nl-NL |date=6 February 2020}}</ref>

In 18 December 2020, former FvD parliamentary candidates [[Joost Eerdmans]] and [[Annabel Nanninga]] created [[JA21]] to contest in the [[2021 Dutch general election]] following what they felt was the FvD's poor handling of members of the youth wing who had made extremist statements and controversies related to Baudet. They were joined by the FvD's three MEPs and seven Senators.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=18 December 2020|title=Joost Eerdmans en Annabel Nanninga doen met nieuwe partij JA21 mee aan verkiezingen|url=https://www.trouw.nl/gs-b4b0b834|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 December 2020|website=[[Trouw]]|language=nl-NL}}</ref>

Following the 2021 Dutch election, FvD MP [[Wybren van Haga]] founded ''[[Belang van Nederland]]'' and was joined by two former FvD MPs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/08/07/van-haga-lanceert-eigen-partij-bv-nl-a4054041 |title=Van Haga lanceert eigen partij BV NL - NRC |publisher=Nrc.nl |date= |accessdate=2021-09-08}}</ref>
<references />
[[Category:Xenophobes]]
[[Category:Propagandist]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitic]]
[[Category:Modern Villains]]
[[Category:Netherlands]]
[[Category:European Villains]]
[[Category:Alt-right]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Political]]
[[Category:Fascist]]