Time in government
26 years • 11 months • 1 week • 4 days
Netherlands D66: Latest polls, election results and positions
Election Trend
9.9 %
-7.0 since the last election
Last Election
16.9 %
Election 2025 · 26 Seats
3-Month Trend
-3.8
Three months ago: 13.7 %
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Democrats 66
RE
Netherlands
Liberal
Europhile
Founded 1966
D66 is a left-liberal, progressive party from the Netherlands. It sees itself as a radically democratic force, placing social freedom, individual self-determination, and deeper European integration at the core of its agenda.
Values and Ideology
D66's foundation is built on a belief in progress and reason. The party holds an optimistic view of human nature, asserting that individuals should be free to make their own life choices, unburdened by state paternalism. This manifests in a strong emphasis on civil liberties and ethical self-determination. In terms of state policy, D66 strives for a modernization of democracy through increased direct participation and transparency. It views the Netherlands not as an isolated island, but as an integral, shaping force within a federal Europe.
Political Priorities
D66's agenda is defined by its 'five pillars': education, climate, Europe, innovation, and individual freedom. The party crafts policies for an urban, well-educated electorate that demands sustainable economic practices and technological innovation. It strongly advocates for climate protection and the energy transition, often serving as a counterweight to more conservative forces. In social policy, D66 is a trailblazer on issues such as euthanasia, abortion rights, and drug legalization, consistently prioritizing scientific evidence over ideology.
Role in the Political System
In the Dutch political system, D66 often acts as a 'bridge-builder' and kingmaker in coalition formations. Strategically, it occupies the center ground between left-leaning social policies and market-liberal economic principles. While operating strictly within the institutions of the rule of law, D66 advocates for their continuous evolution to make them more citizen-centric. Its relationship with state institutions is characterized by loyal reformist zeal: it defends liberal democracy against populist currents while simultaneously pushing for a departure from entrenched administrative structures.
Your position in comparison
Compare nowD66: Key issues and ideological profile
D66
Other Parties
Topic
Salience
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Position 2024
Position 2019
Question
Stance
Economy & State
Should income and wealth be redistributed?
Maintains a neutral stance on redistribution.
Stance
How should the state manage its available budget?
Tends towards austerity and debt reduction.
Stance
Should the local economy be protected?
Advocates largely free trade with minor protective measures.
Stance
Society & Values
What is more important: freedom or security?
Emphasizes individual freedom over state control.
Stance
Should the equality of women be promoted?
Wants active state promotion of equality.
Stance
Should LGBTQ+ equality be advanced?
Advocates strong legal and social equality.
Stance
Should same-sex marriage be allowed?
Fully supports same-sex marriage.
Stance
What role should religions play in politics?
Advocates for strict separation of religion and state.
Stance
Should policy focus on urban or rural areas?
Clearly sets political priorities in urban areas.
Stance
Environment & Globalization
What is more important: environmental protection or economy?
Weights environmental protection slightly stronger than economic growth.
Stance
What is more important: climate protection or economy?
Clearly places climate protection above economic interests.
Stance
Migration & Integration
How should immigration policy be regulated?
Advocates open immigration with targeted management.
Stance
How should immigrant integration be shaped?
Supports integration while preserving cultural diversity.
Stance
Should ethnic minorities be granted more rights?
Supports additional rights for disadvantaged groups.
Stance
What role should nation-states play?
Views national and international responsibility as balanced.
Stance
Democracy & Institutions
How should power be distributed?
Prefers power distribution and democratic control.
Stance
How independent should the judiciary be?
Advocates a completely independent judiciary without political influence.
Stance
How should the state be organized: centralized or federal?
Supports decentralization with clear regional competencies.
Stance
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- Political group in the European Parliament
- RE
- European party
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
Election
Vote share
Seats
2025
29 October 2025
Best result
Vote share
16.9 %
+10.6
Seats
26
+17
2023
22 November 2023
Vote share
6.3 %
-8.7
Seats
9
-15
2021
17 March 2021
Vote share
15.0 %
+2.8
Seats
24
+5
2017
15 March 2017
Vote share
12.2 %
+4.2
Seats
19
+7
2012
12 September 2012
Vote share
8.0 %
+1.0
Seats
12
+2
2010
9 June 2010
Vote share
7.0 %
+5.0
Seats
10
+7
2006
22 November 2006
Worst result
Vote share
2.0 %
-2.1
Seats
3
-3
2003
22 January 2003
Vote share
4.1 %
-1.0
Seats
6
-1
2002
15 May 2002
Vote share
5.1 %
-3.9
Seats
7
-7
1998
6 May 1998
Vote share
9.0 %
-6.5
Seats
14
-10
1994
3 May 1994
Vote share
15.5 %
+7.6
Seats
24
+12
1989
6 September 1989
Vote share
7.9 %
+1.8
Seats
12
+3
1986
21 May 1986
Vote share
6.1 %
+1.8
Seats
9
+3
1982
8 September 1982
Vote share
4.3 %
-6.8
Seats
6
-11
1981
26 May 1981
Vote share
11.1 %
+5.7
Seats
17
+9
1977
25 May 1977
Vote share
5.4 %
+1.2
Seats
8
+2
1972
29 November 1972
Vote share
4.2 %
-2.6
Seats
6
-5
1971
28 April 1971
Vote share
6.8 %
+2.3
Seats
11
+4
1967
15 February 1967
Vote share
4.5 %
Seats
7
All elections since 1945 in which D66 participated. Click a row to see election details.
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1946
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
Today
Led government
Involved in government
Not in government
Share since 1946
31 %
Cabinets led
1
9 months • 2 days
Coalition involvements
7
26 years • 2 months • 1 week • 2 days
Rob Jetten
Jetten
23 February 2026 – Today · 8 months 12 days
66 of 150 seats
Mark Rutte
Rutte VII
10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024 · 2 years 5 months
78 of 150 seats
Mark Rutte
Rutte V
26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022 · 4 years 2 months
76 of 150 seats
Jan Peter Balkenende
Balkenende III
27 May 2003 – 22 February 2007 · 3 years 8 months
78 of 150 seats
Wim Kok
Kok II
3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 · 3 years 11 months
97 of 150 seats
Wim Kok
Kok I
22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 · 3 years 11 months
18 of 31 seats
Dries van Agt
Van Agt II
11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 · 1 year 1 month
109 of 150 seats
Joop den Uyl
Den Uyl I
11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 · 4 years 7 months
97 of 150 seats
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