European Liberals examine cooperation between far-right PVV and the VVD

The European liberals are coming to The Hague to see how closely the VVD cooperates with the PVV. Within the European liberal ALDE party, there are doubts as to whether the VVD is not going too far. According to a spokesperson, guidelines will also be provided for ALDE members on how they should deal with the radical right.

The pan-European party, which brings together many national liberal parties, has agreed that the party office will travel to The Hague next summer to conduct an investigation. The VVD has invited the office to visit. This will occur at least before the next ALDE congress at the beginning of October.

According to insiders, there had previously been talk of a fact-finding mission, but this will not happen. Other sources close to the ALDE contradict that there were plans for such a measure, which the ALDE used in the past when the Czech party ANO took an increasingly right-wing populist course.

ALDE will continue to develop guidelines in case member parties have to decide again on cooperation with the far right. The D66 and other critical members will take the lead, an ALDE source expects.

ALDE forms a large part of the liberal Renew Group in the European Parliament. The Renew Group aims to enhance European security, ensure prosperity, and defend democratic institutions and the rule of law, according to Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe.

During the election campaign, the French Liberals, another important close part of the Renew Group, argued that the VVD no longer belonged in the group. However, sources within the Renew Group said this threat is off the table. The French seem to have avoided the issue since their losses in the European elections. However, other insiders say the battle is not over and could flare up again in the coming weeks.