Politieke Partij Radicalen

The Political Party of Radicals (PPR) was a Dutch leftwing political party. It was founded in 1968 by members of the Catholic People's Party who opposed the conservative politics of their party. They were soon joined by young protestants.

History

The Sixties and Seventies

The PPR was founded on April 27 1968 by members of parliament for the Catholic People's party. They regretted that the KVP had announced that it would continue to cooperate with the protestant-Christian ARP and CHU instead of with the social-democratic PvdA. They were soon joined by Catholics who had the same feelings.

Related Topics:
April 27 - 1968 - CHU - PvdA

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Although founded by Christian politicians the party denounced a direct relationship between religion and politics. Therefore they decided to drop any reference to Christianity from the party's name. They also did this to appeal to non-christian voters.

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The party lacked a program of principles and instead focused on issues. Important issues for the party were development of the third world, the environment and disarmament. These issues were also important for other groups worldwide, who came to found green parties.

Related Topics:
Development of the third world - The environment - Disarmament

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The party allied itself with the PvdA and the progressive liberal D66 in 1971. In 1972 these parties won the elections and formed the cabinet den Uyl. The PPR did exceptionally well in this election and went from 2 to 7 seats (of 150 total). The elections of 1977 however were a disaster. The PPR fell back to 2 seats and did not return to government. The alliance with the PvdA and D66 dissolved.

Related Topics:
PvdA - D66 - 1971 - 1972 - Den Uyl

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The Eighties

Following the elections of 1977, the PPR reoriented itself. It decided to become a green party. It decided to cooperate with other small leftwing parties in parliament (the PSP and the CPN) instead of the PvdA. This led to some conflict within the party.

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On the local and European level the parties began to propose combined lists of candidates. The parties organized demonstrations together especially against nuclear power and weapons.

Related Topics:
Europe - Nuclear power

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After the distrous elections of 1986 the four parties merged in 1989 into GroenLinks. In 1991 the PPR officially ceased to exist. Untill today the influence of the PPR on GroenLinks is significant.

Related Topics:
1986 - 1989 - GroenLinks - 1991

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