Agrarian revolt or populist disruption? The breakthrough of the farmer-citizen-movement (BBB) in the Netherlands

Founded in 2019, the Dutch Farmer-Citizen-Movement ( BoerBurgerBeweging , BBB) has emerged as a significant force in Dutch politics. In a highly urbanized country, the rise of an explicitly rurally oriented political party is striking. We analyze the origins of the BBB, seeking to explain its electoral breakthrough. Using the frameworks of agrarianism and agrarian populism, we assess whether the BBB represents a revival of either tradition. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we examine the party’s rhetoric and voter base in its founding years. Our findings indicate that the BBB adapted agrarian populist ideological tenets to fit the 21 st century context in which it operated. It initially mobilized around opposition to environmental policy and regional resentment, while valorizing rural life and expressing distrust of political elites. The BBB illustrates how populism can be reshaped through agrarian concerns, deepening the cleavage between the urban center and the rural periphery.