PoliticaHub Reference Sheet
Democrats 66
Party · Printed April 19, 2026 · politicahub.com/party/democrats-66-nl
D66 was founded in 1966 as a reformist challenge to the Dutch political establishment, originally focused on democratic renewal, electoral reform, and breaking up old pillarized political structures. Over time it became the Netherlands' main socially liberal party: strongly pro-European, secular, civil-libertarian, and supportive of education, innovation, and institutional modernization. Its modern problem has been that governing influence often comes at the cost of anti-establishment energy, producing repeated cycles of ascent, coalition compromise, and voter disappointment.
Key Facts
| founded year | 1966 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: When was Democrats 66 founded?
- A: Democrats 66 was founded in 1966, making it approximately 60 years old. The party's longevity reflects its ability to adapt to changing political landscapes and maintain electoral relevance over time.
- Q: What is Democrats 66?
- A: D66 was founded in 1966 as a reformist challenge to the Dutch political establishment, originally focused on democratic renewal, electoral reform, and breaking up old pillarized political structures. Over time it became the Netherlands' main socially liberal party: strongly pro-European, secular, civil-libertarian, and supportive of education, innovation, and institutional modernization. Its modern problem has been that governing influence often comes at the cost of anti-establishment energy, producing repeated cycles of ascent, coalition compromise, and voter disappointment.
Source: politicahub.com/party/democrats-66-nl
Democrats 66
D66 was founded in 1966 as a reformist challenge to the Dutch political establishment, originally focused on democratic renewal, electoral reform, and breaking up old pillarized political structures. Over time it became the Netherlands' main socially liberal party: strongly pro-European, secular, civil-libertarian, and supportive of education, innovation, and institutional modernization. Its modern problem has been that governing influence often comes at the cost of anti-establishment energy, producing repeated cycles of ascent, coalition compromise, and voter disappointment.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Founded
- 1966 (60 years old)
D66 was founded in 1966 as a reformist challenge to the Dutch political establishment, originally focused on democratic renewal, electoral reform, and breaking up old pillarized political structures. Over time it became the Netherlands' main socially liberal party: strongly pro-European, secular, civil-libertarian, and supportive of education, innovation, and institutional modernization. Its modern problem has been that governing influence often comes at the cost of anti-establishment energy, producing repeated cycles of ascent, coalition compromise, and voter disappointment.
At a Glance
Democrats 66 is a political party, founded in 1966 — making it 60 years old.
D66 was founded in 1966 as a progressive-reformist challenge to the rigidity of Dutch party politics. Over time it evolved from an anti-establishment democratization movement into a recurring governing party of educated urban liberalism, often partnering with both center-right and center-left forces. Its history is cyclical: it rises when reformist optimism and pro-European liberalism are electorally attractive, then suffers when coalition compromise makes it look indistinguishable from the system it originally wanted to change.