At the MR's political rally in Waterloo, Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius delivered a plea for freedom of expression, democratic debate and political courage. Her central idea: democracies must accept facts, even when they are uncomfortable.
Today Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Dilan Yeşilgöz is also leader of the VVD, the Dutch liberal party. Born in Ankara in 1977, she arrived in the Netherlands as a child with her parents after fleeing Turkey. She has been a municipal councillor in Amsterdam, an MP, State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate, and then Minister of Justice and Security before joining Defence in February 2026.
The “freedom machine”
Speaking to Belgian liberal activists, Dilan Yeşilgöz described democracy as a “freedom machine”, capable of turning disagreement into debate and debate into more responsible decisions.
“I call this our freedom machine: a machine that turns disagreement into debate, that gives space to new ideas, that allows mistakes to be corrected and that turns power into responsibility.”
According to her, a democracy can only function by facing reality.
“A dictatorship can decree that reality is different. A democracy, in the end, can only function by facing reality.”
She criticises methods that avoid debate by attacking the person delivering a message rather than the arguments themselves.
“If you don't want to discuss what someone says, cast suspicion on the person who says it.”
For the minister, the right response to a disputed analysis is not labelling or assuming bad intentions, but discussion based on solid data.
“Fight an argument with an argument. Bring other figures, better research, facts showing that I am wrong.”
Migration, security and reality
Dilan Yeşilgöz also spoke about her own past as a refugee. She refuses to let her origin dictate a specific political stance on asylum.
“Because I was a refugee myself, I was apparently supposed to support an unlimited asylum policy.”
On the contrary, she defends a strict migration policy, believing it must ensure lasting protection for people who genuinely need refuge.
“This is not denying my story; it's taking responsibility.”
She also cited her fight against street harassment in Amsterdam, denouncing the political roadblocks that prevent certain issues from being addressed for fear of what the facts might reveal.
The Russian threat
In her role as Defence Minister, Dilan Yeşilgöz stressed the threat Russia poses to European societies: sabotage, interference, attempts at division and the use of violence.
“We have something worth defending: our freedom.”
She targets those who play down Russian threats or portray support for Ukraine as warmongering. For her, refusing to examine the facts directly weakens democracies.
“In a democracy, truth can never be off limits, especially when it is uncomfortable.”
Her message to the MR
The minister paid tribute to 180 years of Belgian liberalism and encouraged the MR to continue its fight for a freer, safer and more prosperous society. She notably championed lower taxes, lighter bureaucracy, encouragement of work and enterprise, and lasting social protection.
Her speech can be summed up in one idea: liberals must take on the necessary debates, must not give in to the ease of labelling, and must actively defend freedom against both internal and external threats.