VRIJE VOLK, HET

(Dutch: "The Free People"), Socialist evening daily newspaper published in 30 regional editions in Rotterdam and outlying locations, one of the largest and most influential dailies in The Netherlands. It was established in 1900 as Het Volk ("The People"), the official organ of the Socialist Democratic Labour Party. During the German occupation of The Netherlands in World War II, it was suppressed by the Nazis, but it resumed publication in 1945 as Het Vrije Volk. It remained the voice of the Labour Party, retaining a strong political orientation. It and the Communist De Waarheid ("The Truth") are the only daily newspapers in The Netherlands with permanent party affiliations. The paper does not publish a Sunday edition. Its circulation in the late 20th century was about 160,000.