Transitions seminar | Fortuyn versus Wilders versus Baudet

Existing research has shown that there is considerable diversity when it comes to populist radical right party (PRRP) organisation, but it is unclear why this is the case. The Netherlands provides an ideal laboratory to examine this question. The country witnessed the rise of several PRRPs, including the List Pim Fortuyn (LPF), the Party for Freedom (PVV) and Forum for Democracy (FvD). Despite ideological similarities, there are clear differences between these parties in terms of party organisation. We argue that the organisational model of the FvD is a synthesis of the LPF and the PVV. To avoid internal dissension that brought about the demise of the LPF, the FvD adopted organisational elements of Geert Wilders’s ‘personal party’. The FvD also drew lessons from the financial limitations of the PVV by creating a large membership base. The findings show evidence of institutional learning, thereby shedding light on the persistence of PRRPs.