National Democrats (Volkstaat)

The National Democrats (Dutch: Nationale Democraten) are a political party in Nieuw Nederland. Founded in 2022 by C.L. Van Antilles in Antillesdam, the party is the current ruling party in Nieuw Nederland. It has previously held positions such as Chancellor of Varsk from December 2022 to December 2023. 
From 2023 to 2024, the party was a member of the Republican Front coalition with the SDOV and VLFP until the Secession of the Volkstaat and the coalitions subsequent dissolution. After the Votharian War, the party ceased all operations within Varsk, although the Varskian branch of the party had a short lived revival, until merging with the SDOV to merge the Social and National Democrats.
== Formation ==
Originally formed as the Nieuw Nederlander Branch of the SDOV, the National Democrats enjoyed great success at the time due to the SDOV's national dominance, with the majority of Nieuw Nederlander MPs being members of both the SDOV and ND. The party formally split from the SDOV in December 2022 to allow C.L. Van Antilles to run in the December 2022 Varskian Chancellor Election whilst avoiding a primary challenge within the SDOV against incumbent chancellor L.H. Van Antilles. 
C.L. Van Antilles ended up winning the election, laying the groundwork for the Republican Front coalition, with the agreement for the coalition being formally agreed upon sometime in February, the VLFP were invited in August 2023, resulting in the first major government coalition in Varskian history, however due to a surge in support for the NRF, the coalition never held a majority of seats in parliament after April 2023. 
== Time In Government ==
Following the 2023 Russo-Chinese Electoral Interference crisis, C.L. Van Antilles was re-elected to a third term as chancellor of Varsk following a revote held nationwide using paper ballots. Following the announcement that Van Antilles would not seek a fourth term, the VLFP was selected to take the RF candidacy for the upcoming December 2023 Chancellor Election, with Hans Sarrau winning in the second round. 
The Coalition would fall apart in February 2024, following the Assassination of Ace Nixon, Votharian War and Secession of Nieuw Nederland. 
== Volkstaat Dominance ==
Following the Secession of Nieuw Nederland, the National Democrats became the largest party in the Landsraad following the July 2024 Landsraat Elections, which were held a few months following the declaration of Secession. It was during this time that the party was formally acquired by Antilles Holdings, with the party subsequently changing its logo to reflect the change in ownership.
The ND have since become the largest party in the Volkstaat, seeing genuine public support despite the ability of the National Board to override the results of Landsraat Elections. The party has since adopted a more centrist view, alongside outwardly progressive social policies and pro-business economic policies.
== Re-emergence in Varsk ==
Following the Election of Melina Dacre to the presidency on an acting basis, the National Democrats re-established a branch of the party in Varsk, with the Varskian Branch of the party adopting the same name, symbols and colours, albeit with more left-leaning policies. 
The party merged with the SDOV following the April 2024 Elections, as President Dacre failed to win election for a full term, and eventually left Varsk to lead the Kingdom of Awalektia as Melina I.