However, he also notes that there is very negative sentiment among some groups towards leader Sigrid Kaag’s party. “You certainly see it on the extreme ends of the political spectrum.” According to Paternotte, this has to do with the fact that D66 is “leading the way” on some topics. He also refers to previous events, such as the Euthanasia Act, the opening of marriage to non-heterosexual couples and the raising of the state retirement age. ‘We always reject the first party that proposes it. This too has caused a lot of reactions and doesn’t make you immediately popular.’
That’s why Paternotte says D66’s “bashing” is something of “all time”. “You also have to say yes if you want to solve the problems. It’s very easy to walk away from it, as many parties do, but that doesn’t solve anything.’ Yet this one-sided policy has attracted much criticism. For example, Paternotte points to Kaag, who has seen angry people pass by with torches on several occasions. “Today it has also become clear that many women in politics have to deal with sexism and threats. This is very bad.’