Despite growing unease within the VVD and sliding poll numbers, Dilan Yesilgöz remains firmly in place as party leader ahead of the October election, the AD said in an analysis of the party’s current position, ahead of the October general election.
The Netherlands will vote for a new lower house of parliament on October 29 following the collapse of the right-wing coalition after the PVV withdrew. The VVD is currently third in the polls but the CDA is fast catching up under the leadership of new face Henri Bontenbal and could push the Liberals into fourth place.
Yesilgöz has come under fire several times in recent weeks and while party stalwarts rarely voice criticism in public, a WhatsApp group of around 270 VVD members has compiled a list of 30 strategic missteps by the party leader, the AD said.
One party member described the group as “an app full of gloom”, as frustrations mount over Yesilgöz’s shifting stance towards the far-right PVV and her handling of the recent controversy involving singer Douwe Bob.
Yet senior VVD figures insist her position is secure. “There is zero percent chance she won’t lead us into this election,” former minister Henk Kamp told the paper.
Party veterans like Fred Teeven have dismissed speculation that Yesilgöz should be replaced by figures such as Ruben Brekelmans or Klaas Dijkhoff. “Nonsense,” he told AD, although he admitted the VVD is not heading into the summer break with confidence. “We’re not free of concerns, of course.”
Kamp defended Yesilgöz’s recent actions, saying she showed clear leadership in steering asylum legislation through parliament. “She’s been tested in several roles and enjoys broad support,” he said. “There is no movement in the party to replace her.”
However, criticism has also come from the more progressive wing of the party. Former minister Ed Nijpels said the VVD has been “zigzagging” since its decision to govern with the PVV. He pointed to policies such as limiting the role of local authorities in dealing with refugees and criminalising undocumented migrants. “What liberal wants that?” he said.
Klaas Dijkhoff, a former party leader who recently launched the moderate initiative Voor ons Nederland, also expressed concerns. After Yesilgöz posted a confrontational message on X about the Douwe Bob affair, Dijkhoff said she “should have sought connection” rather than triggering “the outrage machine”.
Long term
While some party officials argue that strong views are being unfairly labelled as populist, others worry about the long-term direction of the party. “The house isn’t on fire,” said Mauk Bresser chairman of youth wing JOVD, “but I hope she surrounds herself with new voices with fresh ideas. It’s not helpful to speculate about a new leader now.”
Yesilgöz’s place at the top of the VVD list was recently confirmed at the party conference, and party rules leave no room for an internal challenge. “It’s a fait accompli,” one VVD member said. “It would be disastrous to undermine her now.”
