Europe’s latest shocking act of political violence came last week when a firework bomb was thrown through the mailbox of ALDE Party member D66’s headquarters.
Around 30 members of the party’s youth wing were inside the building at the time but were unharmed. The explosion marks the second attack on D66 political offices in under nine months.
In November, anti-immigration protesters threw stones at the party office and shattered windows. Afterwards, D66 boarded them up with the message: “democracy cannot be broken” - a slogan likely to return after the latest spate of violence.
Dutch Prime Minister and D66 Party Leader Rob Jetten spoke about the worrying frequency of these attacks and political violence in the Netherlands and across Europe:
“Almost every week something happens because people think they can intimidate council members, mayors, politicians and ambulance workers with violence. But we will not be intimidated. In a democratic Netherlands, we will never be silenced by violence.”
The attack renews concerns about the growing normalisation of political intimidation across Europe. Threats, vandalism and violence against politicians are becoming more common both online and offline, undermining democratic debate itself.
D66 has increasingly become a target for groups who resent its desire for social liberal reforms. The rise of political polarisation, social media algorithms and anti-establishment anger has created a more aggressive political climate across Europe.
Research shows that the catalyst for political violence is often about societal polarisation at its core. This spiral of hatred and intimidation has spread across Europe, from physical attacks to deepfakes and online hate campaigns. Violence is now active on too many fronts.
ALDE Party member VVD also spoke out against the violence, with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz declaring that “threatening and intimidating a political party - or anyone else - is absolutely unacceptable.”
Violence cannot become part of democratic life. Political disagreement belongs in debate, not intimidation, and liberals across Europe are making clear they will not be silenced by fear.