The Netherlands: Nazis and Neo-Fascists on the FvD Candidate Lists
In recent days, the Dutch press has taken a critical look at Forum for Democracy (FvD). Several candidates on the party’s municipal election lists appear to have ties to far-right organizations or past activities that raise serious questions.
The most concrete case concerns the town of Nieuwegein, where the number two candidate on the FvD list, Frank Folkerts, previously stood for election on behalf of the neo-Nazi Dutch People’s Union (NVU). This party once described the German occupation of the Netherlands (1940–1945) as an “ideological liberation.” This was reported recently by NOS Regio Utrecht.
In addition, reporting by outlets such as De Volkskrant and NRC shows that several local FvD candidates were active in far-right groups like the Geuzenbond, an identitarian organization that is also monitored by security services. These candidates appear on FvD lists in cities including Nijmegen and Rotterdam.
The media coverage has led to political consequences. In at least three municipalities, coalition parties have already announced that they will not cooperate with FvD after the elections unless the party clearly distances itself from extremist ideologies.
FvD itself denies having structural ties to extremists and says it is proud of its candidates, but in its public responses it has refused to address individual cases in detail.
The controversy touches on a broader debate in the Netherlands: how should a democracy deal with political movements that include members from the far-right spectrum?
Source:
Nieuwegeinse FvD-kandidaat stond eerder op lijst van neonazistische NVU, NOS - nieuws