On Saturday 3 March D66 gathered in Rotterdam for their 107th Congress. D66 members voted on resolutions and listened to inspiring speeches by D66 leader Alexander Pechtold, former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Thom de Graaf, Rotterdam section leader Said Kasmi, the party's youth branch leader Kevin Brongers and ALDE-CoR President Bart Somers, among others.

As Dutch citizens will head to the polls on 21 March for local elections, in his address, Alexander Pechtold said: "What is at stake at the next local elections? Every municipality has its peculiarities, but the basic questions are the same time: does the city, the town or village remain a place where people can take care of each other? A place where every person can rightly say: 'Here I am at home'? A place with good education, good work, good climate and good healthcare? Our goal is to get all progressive voters head to the polls and stay the biggest, and in those places where we are not, try to become the biggest."

He also cherished the benefits of Europe: "Climate change, migration, terrorism, defence, tax evasion, energy: they are require a European approach."

"The urgency of this moment requires courage. Political courage from us all. The courage to continue to see Europe for what it is: the most important source and guarantee of our peace, security and prosperity. The courage to defend and strenghten our Union against prejudices," he added.

Pechtold concluded by putting D66's ideals in the spotlight: "We are the only progressive party that not only calls for, but also does. That down-to-earth idealism is the foundation for the success of our party. Voters know they can count on us, a party that has the courage to say 'yes'."

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Read Alexander Pechtold's full speech here.

Find out more information about the event on D66's website.

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