On 12 April, hundreds of D66 members gathered for the party’s 121st Congress in Breda, the Netherlands.
Held under the slogan “Being Free”, the event served as a timely moment to regroup amid ongoing debates on the budget and strategic direction of both the Netherlands and the EU, ahead of key decisions to be taken at June’s European Council meeting in Brussels.
Party leader Rob Jetten urged members to draw inspiration from the Ukrainians’ fight for freedom, choosing to act for change instead of despairing amid all the hardships.
“A breakthrough the Netherlands needs now is for a new economy. I choose an economy that is clean, innovative, outward-looking, and with a good income for people. I want to bet on work that needs and makes the Netherlands better. The Netherlands is full of resilience, energy and good ideas: if we have the courage to innovate and work together, we can once again become a country of which all Dutch people are proud,” said Jetten.
With just under a year to go until the Dutch municipal elections on 18 March 2026, party chair Alexandra van Huffelen urged party members to take part in a great listening process within their local D66 branches and representatives of civil society.
“This spring and summer, groups of D66 members will be writing our programmes all over the country. And I call on all of you: be visible in every neighbourhood, every village, every city. Take to the streets, organise meetings, speak out in opinion pieces. And show that D66 offers a home to all those people who want to move forward. Who may have different opinions, but who ultimately choose progress and connection,” said van Huffelen.
Congress also passed several motions reaffirming D66’s pro-European stance, including renewed calls for deeper collaboration on migration, climate strategy and innovation at the EU level.
D66 remains vocal about the need for a stronger European Union capable of defending democratic values, rule of law and collective security.
You can rewatch Jetten’s speech below.
Photo: D66