Why do the PvdD do so well compared to other animal rights parties?

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

I found it odd that despite the fact most other animal welfare and animal rights parties get around 1% at best, the Dutch Partij voor de Dieren (Party for the Animals) gets over 3% of the vote and seats nationally? What about the party or the Dutch political climate allows them to do so well compared to similar parties?

[DavidB.]

Part of the reason is that due to the low threshold (0.67%) it is simply easier to enter parliament in the Netherlands than in many other countries, and from that moment onward a party starts receiving attention; attention that similar parties in other countries don't get as easily. From 2006 till 2017 the PvdD only had 2 seats, but appreciation for their work has increased over time and thereby their support as well.

Another part of the reason might be that many Dutch voters (particularly younger voters) are used to voting for a different party every election; NL is more volatile than all other Western European countries. Voters might be less reluctant to go with an Animal Party than people in other countries. Since the PvdD make it very clear that they do not compromise on any issues ("sell out"), people can be sure that "what you see is what you get". The flipside, of course, is that they exert less direct influence over the policymaking process, but to the PvdD being in politics is more about moving the Overton window and steering the political agenda in their direction than short-term political successes.