Dutch Socialists sense victory is near
Source: Financial Times
Dutch Socialists sense victory is near
By Matt Steinglass, Updated: Thursday, August 23, 12:40 PM
AMSTERDAM — “People used to call us dirty communists,” says Filinta Karabulut, a 20-year-old member of the Socialist Party in Diemen, a working-class suburb of Amsterdam. “Now they come up to us and say we’re doing good work.”
This sea change in the Dutch mood experienced by Karabulut comes after 18 months of conservative government, with austerity policies and the euro-zone crisis driving widespread disaffection.
The Socialist Party’s supporters can taste victory amid the newfound respect. The most left-wing of the Netherlands’ mainstream parties, a group descended from 1970s Maoists, is poised to become the largest in parliament in elections next month.
A win by the Socialist Party and its leader, Emile Roemer, on Sept. 12 could mean a dramatic reversal for a country that has been one of the strongest advocates of austerity policies throughout the euro-zone crisis. If the party takes the Netherlands out of the German-led camp of countries pressing for stricter E.U. budgetary supervision in exchange for euro-zone rescue measures, it could shift the balance of power in Europe as a whole.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/dutch-socialists-sense-victory-is-near/2012/08/23/701630ee-ed43-11e1-b09d-07d971dee30a_story.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
simple fact that it will give Geert Wilders a sad.
Wilders published the version of his political manifesto called Klare Wijn ("Clear Wine"
in March 2006. The program proposed ten key points to be implemented:
Considerable reduction of taxes and state regulations. - reduces taxes and regulations
Replacement of the present Article 1 of the Dutch constitution, guaranteeing equality under the law, by a clause stating the cultural dominance of the Christian, Jewish and humanist traditions. - dominance of Judeo-Christian teachings
Reduction of the influence of the European Union, which may no longer be expanded with new member states, especially Turkey; the European Parliament will be abolished. Dutch financial contributions to the European Union should be reduced by billions of euros. - Anti-EU
A five year moratorium on the immigration of non-Western foreigners who intend to stay in the Netherlands. Foreign residents will no longer have the right to vote in municipal elections. - Anti-immigration at least of non-Western (nonwhite?) people.
A five-year moratorium on the founding of new mosques and Islamic schools; a permanent ban on preaching in any language other than Dutch. Foreign imams will not be allowed to preach. - Anti-Muslim, anti-multiculturalism
Radical mosques will be closed and radical Muslims will be expelled. - more anti-Muslim
Restoration of educational standards, with an emphasis on the educational value of the family. - 'family values' agenda
Introduction of binding referenda and elected mayors, chiefs of police and prime ministers.
Introduction of minimum penalties, and higher maximum penalties; introduction of administrative detention for terrorist suspects. Street terrorism will be punished by boot camps and denaturalisation and deportation of immigrant offenders. - strict 'law-and-order' agenda
Restoration of respect and better rewards for teachers, policemen, health care workers and military personnel. - finally something we can agree with
Instead of complicated reorganisation, a more accessible and humane health care system, especially for elderly citizens. - same thing
