50PLUS facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
50PLUS
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| Abbreviation | 50+ |
| Leader | Martin van Rooijen |
| Chairman | Willem Dekker |
| Leader in the Senate | Martin van Rooijen |
| Founded | 2009 (Onafhankelijke Ouderen en Kinderen Unie, OokU) 9 October 2010 (current name) |
| Preceded by | Party for Justice, Action and Progress |
| Headquarters | Kneuterdijk 2, The Hague |
| Think tank | Wetenschappelijk Bureau 50PLUS |
| Membership (2024) |  1,515 |
| Ideology | Pensioners' interests Populism Soft Euroscepticism |
| Political position | Centre |
| European affiliation | European Democratic Party (2023–present) |
| Colours | Purple |
| Senate |
1 / 75
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| House of Representatives |
0 / 150
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| King's commissioners |
0 / 12
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| Provincial councils |
8 / 572
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| European Parliament |
0 / 29
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50PLUS (pronounced "fifty plus") is a political party in the Netherlands. It focuses on the needs and interests of older people, like pensioners. The party has a "centrist" view, meaning it's not too far left or too far right in politics.
The party was started in 2009 by Maurice Koopman, Alexander Münninghoff, and Jan Nagel. Since 2021, Martin van Rooijen has been the party leader.
50PLUS first took part in elections for the provinces in 2011. They won 9 seats in the provincial councils. This allowed them to have a representative, Jan Nagel, in the Senate. Later, under Henk Krol, the party also entered the House of Representatives in 2012.
At the European level, 50PLUS has worked with different groups. Their Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Toine Manders, first joined a liberal group. Later, he joined a conservative group. In 2023, 50PLUS became part of the European Democratic Party.
Contents
How 50PLUS Started
The party began in 2009 with a different name: Onafhankelijke Ouderen en Kinderen Unie. This means "Independent Elderly and Children Union." It followed an earlier party called Partij voor Rechtvaardigheid, Daadkracht en Vooruitgang (Party for Justice, Vigour and Progress).
In the autumn of 2010, the party changed its name to 50PLUS. This new name clearly showed its focus on people aged 50 and older.
Before the 2011 Senate election, 50PLUS made a deal with another group called the Independent Senate Faction (OSF). The smaller regional parties didn't have enough seats to get a senator on their own. So, 50PLUS members agreed to vote for the OSF. In return, a 50PLUS member, Kees de Lange, was the OSF's top candidate. He became a senator in May 2011. Jan Nagel, another 50PLUS member, also won a seat. After this, people could officially become members of the 50PLUS party.
50PLUS in Elections
50PLUS takes part in elections for different parts of the Dutch government. These include the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the European Parliament.
House of Representatives Results
The House of Representatives is where most laws are made in the Netherlands.
| Election | Lijsttrekker | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Henk Krol | 177,631 | 1.88 (#11) |
2 / 150
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 2 |
Opposition |
| 2017 | 327,131 | 3.11 (#10) |
4 / 150
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2 |
Opposition | |
| 2021 | Liane den Haan | 106,658 | 1.02 (#15) |
1 / 150
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3 |
Opposition |
| 2023 | Gerard van Hooft | 51,043 | 0.49 (#17) |
0 / 150
|
1 |
Extra-parliamentary |
Senate Results
The Senate checks laws passed by the House of Representatives.
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,193 | 1.3 |
1 / 75
|
1 |
Opposition |
| 2015 | 4,388 | 2.6 |
2 / 75
|
1 |
Opposition |
| 2019 | 5,251 | 3.0 |
2 / 75
|
 0 |
Opposition |
| 2023 | 3,264 | 1.8 |
1 / 75
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1 |
Opposition |
European Parliament Results
The European Parliament works on laws for the whole European Union.
| Election | List | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | List | 175,343 | 3.69 (#10) |
0 / 26
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New | |
| 2019 | List | 215,199 | 3.91 (#9) |
1 / 26
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1 |
Provincial Councils Results
Provincial councils manage affairs in the different regions of the Netherlands.
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | (#10) |
9 / 566
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New | ||
| 2015 | (#10) |
14 / 570
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5 |
Party Leadership
Over the years, different people have led 50PLUS. They include party leaders, chairmen, and leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Party Leaders
- Jan Nagel (2011–2012, 2013–2016, 2020–2021)
- Henk Krol (2012–2013, 2016–2020)
- Liane den Haan (2020–2021)
- Martin van Rooijen (2021–present)
Chairmen
- Jan Nagel (2011–2012, 2013–2014, 2016–2017, 2020–2021)
- Willem Holthuizen (2012–2013)
- John Struijlaard (2014–2016)
- Jan Zoetelief (2017–2018)
- Geert Dales (2018–2020)
- Peter Schut (2021–2022)
- Gerard van Hooft (2022–2023, acting)
- Jorien van den Herik (2023–2024)
- Willem Dekker (2024–present)
Parliamentary Leaders
These are the leaders of the party's groups in the Senate and House of Representatives.
In the Senate
- Jan Nagel (2011–2019)
- Martin van Rooijen (2019–present)
In the House of Representatives
- Henk Krol (2012–2013, 2014–2020)
- Norbert Klein (2013–2014)
- Martine Baay-Timmerman (2014)
- Corrie van Brenk (2020–2021)
- Liane den Haan (2021)
- The party has had no representation in the House of Representatives since May 2021.
See also
In Spanish: 50PLUS para niños
- Union 55+, An older Dutch party that also focused on pensioners, active from 1992 to 1998.
- General Elderly Alliance, Another older Dutch party for pensioners, active from 1993 to 1998.
