For the first time in its history, the youth wing of the Dutch People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) has named a foreign politician ‘Liberal of the

Year.’ The honor went to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, signaling both admiration for his pro-market stance and a critique of the VVD’s own recent record.

The VVD youth group did not shy away from pointing out shortcomings within their own party. In the parliamentary elections last October, the VVD secured 22 seats—two fewer than in 2023. According to the youth wing, the party had shown “little evidence of liberality” over the past year and “did not display its most liberal side” during the campaign.

By selecting De Wever, they highlight an external example of liberal leadership. The Flemish nationalist and leader of Belgium’s N-VA party delivered the prestigious HJ Schoo lecture in Amsterdam in September, a speech that traditionally sets the tone for the political year in the Netherlands. De Wever called for increased cooperation among Benelux countries and within the EU to strengthen trade and economic collaboration—a message that resonated strongly with the young Dutch liberals.

“The hope is that Prime Minister De Wever can serve as an inspiration, including for the VVD itself,” the youth wing said. “Especially with the formation of a new cabinet, it is urgent to champion a strong free market and an open trading economy for the future.”

De Wever’s party, the N-VA, is known for its Flemish nationalist and conservative right-wing positions. In Belgium, other right-wing liberal parties include Open VLD in Flanders and MR in the francophone region. Photo by © European Union, 1998 – 2026, Wikimedia commons.