Theodoor Herman "Theo" de Meester was a Dutch politician of the defunct Liberal Union (LU) now merged into the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and economist. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 17 August 1905 until 12 February 1908.
Theo de Meester in 1905
Free-thinking Democratic League
The Free-thinking Democratic League was a progressive liberal political party in the Netherlands. Established in 1901, it played a relatively large role in Dutch politics, supplying one Prime Minister, Wim Schermerhorn. The League is a predecessor of two of the major Dutch political parties, the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the social democratic Labour Party (PvdA). The social liberal Democrats 66 also claims that it and the VDB are ideologically connected.
1922 poster created by the VDB. "Houdt Koers" means "Hold Firm". In the image the "Ship of State" avoids smashing on the rocks of revolution and reaction
1937 poster created by the VDB, declaring a vote for the VDB is "a vote for Freedom and Democracy".