Democrats 66

Democrats 66, , official name: Politieke Partij Democraten 66 (shortened D66), is a social liberal and progressive political party in the Netherlands. 

The party was formed on 14 October 1966 by a group of young academics led by Hans van Mierlo. The party had their most success in the 1994 election, where they won 24 out of 150 seats. In the 2010 elections, they received 654,167 votes and won 10 seats. In the 2012 elections they received 757,091 votes and won 12 seats. In the 2017 elections they won 19 seats (+7), in the 2021 election 24 (+5), and in the 2023 elections 9 (-15). In the 2025 election, the party achieved its best ever result, winning 26 seats (+17) and is likely to lead the next government. 

D66 is very supportive of the European Union.https://d66.nl/standpunten/kiezen-voor-europa/ (Dutch) They historically supported the legalization of gay marriage, prostitution, and euthanasia. The party supports environmentalismhttps://d66.nl/standpunten/klimaat-natuur-milieu/ (Dutch) and wants a mixed economy. D66 wants tax-cuts for the lower and middle classes. They also want direct democracy.

 Political leaders  
 Hans van Mierlo - 1966–1973
 Jan Terlouw - 1973–1982
 Laurens Jan Brinkhorst - 1982
 Maarten Engwirda - 1982–1986
 Hans van Mierlo - 1986–1998
 Els Borst - 1998
 Thom de Graaf - 1998–2003
 Boris Dittrich - 2003–2006
 Alexander Pechtold - 2006–2018
 Rob Jetten - 2018–2020 (actually only parliamentary leader)
 Sigrid Kaag - 2020–2023
 Rob Jetten - 2023–present

 References 

 Other websites 
 Website of Democrats 66
 Website of Democrats 66 International  (English)

Category:Liberal parties
Category:Political parties in the Netherlands
Category:1960s establishments in the Netherlands
Category:1966 establishments in Europe