The Netherlands has many political parties, a state of affairs encouraged by the electoral system. The House of Representatives is elected by proportional representation, with parties having to win only 0.66% of the national vote to gain one seat. In the last general election (22 November 2023), ten parties gained one or more seats in the House of Representatives. The Netherlands’ four largest parties are the CDA, PvdA, SP, and VVD.

CDA
The Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) was formed in 1980 as a merger of three confessional parties: the Catholic People’s Party, the Anti-Revolutionary Party, and the Christian Historical Union. Cooperation between these three parties had been stimulated by the decline in the influence of the churches since the 1960s. Ideologically, the CDA is regarded as a party in the centre of the Dutch political spectrum. The Bible is not cited when the CDA takes a political standpoint, but it is a source of inspiration to party members.

PvdA
The Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) was founded in 1946 and has its roots in the trade union movement. It aims to be a social democratic party, with supporters in all social classes. Since its foundation, the PvdA has been continuously represented in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

SP
The SP (Socialist Party), founded in 1972, is a fast-growing party that seeks a society with a central place for human dignity, equality, and solidarity.

VVD
Founded in 1948, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) represents the liberal tradition in Dutch politics. Its forebears under J.R. Thorbecke presided over the radical reform of the Constitution in 1848. The VVD’s manifesto gives high priority to individual freedom, arguing that the state should not interfere with the freedoms of citizens but should ensure their safety and security.

Other political parties
Six smaller parties also currently have seats in the House of Representatives. Four already had seats: the Green Left Alliance (GroenLinks), the left-leaning liberal Democrats ‘66 (D’66), the Calvinist Party (SGP), and the protestant Christian Union (ChristenUnie). The Christian Union was created in 2001 by the merger of the Reformed Political Federation (RPF) and the Calvinist Political Union (GPV). The 2002 general election was the first that it fought under its new name.

The 2006 general election saw the participation of several new parties, two of which gained seats: the Party for Animals (PvdD) and the Freedom Party (PvdV). The Party for Animals seeks to improve the position of animals in society, and the Freedom Party contains elements of nationalism, conservatism, and liberalism.

Party funding
Political parties in the Netherlands have to fund themselves and do so mainly from members’ contributions. Some parties receive business donations, which they have to declare, but individual members of Parliament may not accept such donations.

Seats in the House of Representatives