Editing Democrats 66 (section)

=== Purple cabinets and demise (1986–2006) ===
In 1986, Van Mierlo returned to politics. He emphasised democratic reform as the core issue of the party and wanted to end the polarisation between the Labour Party and VVD, so that it would be possible to form a government without the CDA. He led the party in the [[1986 Dutch general election|1986 general election]] and won nine seats. In the [[1989 Dutch general election|1989 election]], the party won 12 seats and was asked to join the formation talks of a CDA–PvdA–D66 coalition. While the PvdA preferred to form a government ''with'' D66, the CDA did not. Ultimately, D66 was excluded from the coalition, because it was not necessary to include them to reach a majority in parliament.

Despite being in opposition, D66 adopted a constructive approach towards the government. They were rewarded for this in the [[1994 Dutch general election|1994 general election]], in which the party doubled its number of seats to 24. D66 was able to form its preferred coalition: the "[[Purple (government)|purple government]]", which included both the [[Social democracy|social democratic]] PvdA and the [[conservative liberalism|conservative liberal]] VVD. Van Mierlo was appointed [[Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]. As advocated by D66, the [[first Kok cabinet]] initiated progressive legislation, such as the introduction of [[Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands|same-sex marriage]] and the legalisation of [[euthanasia]]. The moderately [[economic liberalism|liberal economic]] policies of the cabinet were also seen as a great success.

[[File:Els Borst februari 2002.jpg|thumb|right|185px|[[Els Borst]], top candidate in the [[1998 Dutch general election|1998 general election]]]]
Shortly before the [[1998 Dutch general election|1998 general election]], Van Mierlo stepped back and Minister of Health [[Els Borst]] became the new top candidate. D66 lost ten seats in the election, while its coalition partners gained ground at the cost of D66. The [[second Kok cabinet]] continued. Although D66 was technically not needed for a majority in parliament, it was seen as the glue that kept the PvdA and the VVD together. Borst stepped down as party leader and became [[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Deputy Prime Minister]] and Minister of Health. [[Thom de Graaf]] led the party in the House of Representatives. From within the party, there were calls for a more explicit progressive liberal course. In 1999, a constitutional reform that would allow for [[referendum]]s to be held was rejected by the Senate, because a group of VVD dissidents had voted against it. In response, D66 left the cabinet. After the subsequent formation talks, D66 returned to the cabinet in return for a temporary referendum law and directly elected mayors.

In the [[2002 Dutch general election|2002 general election]], the tide had turned against the purple government, and the right-wing populist [[Pim Fortuyn List]] (LPF) gained considerable ground. The three purple parties lost an unprecedented 43 seats. D66 was left with only seven seats. The [[first Balkenende cabinet]], consisting of CDA, LPF and VVD, lasted only three months. In the [[2003 Dutch general election|2003 general election]], D66 lost another seat, leaving only 6. De Graaf stepped down and was succeeded by [[Boris Dittrich]]. After long formation talks between the CDA and the PvdA failed, a [[second Balkenende cabinet]] was formed, which included the CDA, the VVD and D66.

In return for investments in environment and education, and a special Minister for Governmental Reform, D66 supported the [[centre-right]] reform cabinet and some of its more controversial legislation. In May 2005, the Senate rejected a constitutional reform that would allow a directly elected mayor. The legislation had been introduced by the [[second Kok cabinet]], but it was unable to get a two-thirds majority because the Labour Party was opposed the electoral system proposed by Minister for Governmental Reform Thom de Graaf. De Graaf resigned, but the rest of the ministers retained their positions as D66 was promised more investment in public education and the environment. A special party congress was called to ratify this so-called "Easter Agreement" (''Paasakkoord''). 2,600 members (20 per cent of total membership) were present and the congress was broadcast live on television. The congress agreed to remain in cabinet by a large majority. [[Alexander Pechtold]] replaced De Graaf as Minister for Governmental Reform. [[Laurens Jan Brinkhorst]], the Minister of Economic Affairs, became [[Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Deputy Prime Minister]].

[[File:Alexander-pechtold (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|185px|[[Alexander Pechtold]], leader from 2006 to 2018]]