forum voor democratie under fire as cities boycott over extremist ties

2026-02-05 politiek

Den Haag, donderdag, 5 februari 2026.
Several major Dutch cities, including Den Haag, Nijmegen and Rotterdam, are refusing to cooperate with Forum voor Democratie ahead of next month’s local elections. The move follows revelations that multiple FvD candidates have past or present links to extremist groups such as the Geuzenbond and the neo-Nazi NVU. Internal messages show one candidate praised mass murderers Anders Breivik and Brenton Tarrant as a “divine duo”. Another admitted throwing away a Holocaust survivor’s memoir. Despite mounting pressure, FvD leadership stands by its candidates, calling controversial remarks “youthful mistakes”. Municipal coalitions say they won’t engage politically unless decisive action is taken. Security services have long flagged the linked groups for promoting racism and undermining democracy. The boycott raises urgent questions about political boundaries in Dutch local governance.

coalition parties cut ties with fvd in key cities

Multiple governing coalitions in Dutch municipalities have decided to exclude Forum voor Democratie from formal cooperation during upcoming council sessions. In Den Haag, Nijmegen and Rotterdam, mainstream parties including D66, VVD, CDA and GroenLinks-PvdA announced they will not enter into dialogue or collaboration with FvD representatives. This decision follows investigative reporting revealing that several FvD candidates hold documented affiliations with extremist organizations. The exclusion applies specifically to political negotiations and joint initiatives within city councils [1]. Coalition leaders emphasize that normal parliamentary interactions may continue, but substantive policy coordination is off limits until concerns are addressed [2].

controversial candidates spark backlash

At the center of the dispute are multiple FvD nominees with established connections to radical groups. Timon Busscher, placed third on the Den Haag list, previously referred to mass murderers Anders Breivik and Brenton Tarrant as “the divine duo” in internal youth faction chat logs [1]. He further propagated antisemitic tropes, accusing Jewish media elites of spreading “anti-white rhetoric” [3]. In Nieuwegein, Frank Folkerts—ranked second on the FvD slate—was an active member and electoral leader of the neo-Nazi NVU around 2010 [4]. Folkerts openly admitted discarding a Holocaust survivor’s memoir, stating, “This book went about a Jewess who survived the Holocaust, I threw this book away” [5]. Such records triggered immediate condemnation from oversight bodies and rival politicians [6].

extremist networks tied to fvd recruitment

Security agencies have identified broader patterns connecting FvD candidates to outlawed ideologies. Three individuals—Daan Meershoek, Tim van Setten, and Vos Leijnse—are confirmed participants in activities organized by the Geuzenbond, a youth movement labeled extremist by intelligence services [7]. The organization promotes ethno-nationalism and anti-democratic views, drawing scrutiny from national counterterrorism units [8]. Similarly, Reginald Eeckhout, seventh on the Amsterdam ticket, co-founded Erkenbrand, a group designated by AIVD as racist and threatening to democratic order [9]. Other figures like Jaron Buitelaar and Bertus Renes attended gatherings hosted by Voorpost, another entity monitored for radicalization [10]. These overlapping memberships suggest systematic recruitment from known extremist pools rather than isolated incidents [11].

party defends candidacy selections

Despite mounting criticism, FvD officials have refused to remove implicated members from candidate lists. National spokesperson Milan Schenk dismissed offensive statements as youthful indiscretions made outside public forums [1]. He stated there was “just a case of youthful folly from the past”, implying no lasting consequences should apply [5]. When pressed about historical involvement with banned movements like NVU, party representatives acknowledged membership but framed it as distant history [4]. Schenk reiterated organizational pride in its electoral lineups, describing them as selected with care and conviction [12]. The stance contrasts sharply with demands from civic watchdogs and coalition partners who insist accountability requires more than verbal distancing [13].

local governments demand accountability

City-based alliances are demanding concrete actions before reconsidering relations with FvD. In Nieuwegein, a cross-party bloc comprising VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA, CDA, and ChristenUnie insists on “unequivocal disassociation” from Frank Folkerts and appropriate disciplinary measures [2]. Their counterparts in Den Haag declared political collaboration impossible unless FvD demonstrates clearer boundaries [1]. Delano van Luik of CDA expressed disbelief that the party continues supporting figures aligned with extremist thought systems [5]. Jeroen Postma from GroenLinks-PvdA in Rotterdam characterized FvD as an “openly fascist party”, justifying total isolation [3]. Absent corrective steps, these positions signal prolonged institutional marginalization regardless of electoral outcomes [14].

intelligence warnings underscore risks

National security assessments reinforce concerns surrounding affiliated entities. The AIVD has repeatedly classified both NVU and Geuzenbond as threats to democratic stability due to their propagation of racism, antisemitism, and authoritarian ideals [9]. Documents reveal that homes belonging to members have doubled as logistical hubs—for instance, one residence contained illegal weapons caches alongside ideological materials [15]. Authorities recently prosecuted Thomas D., a Geuzenbond affiliate, recommending a two-year sentence for manufacturing prohibited arms [15]. Investigators noted his house operated as a regular meeting point for the network [16]. With FvD drawing personnel directly from such environments, experts warn the integration of extremists into formal politics undermines foundational safeguards [17].

Bronnen

Forum voor Democratie extreemrechtse kandidaten