The centre-right Christian Democrats have taken the lead in the Dutch elections tonight. In second place is the party to which Pim Fortuyn, the anti-immigration politician who was recently shot dead, belonged, having gained as many as 20 seats. Effectively, the centre-left Labour-VVD coalition government led by Wim Kok has been soundly defeated, potentially resulting in a significant swing to the right. Turnout for the election was very high in the wake of Fortuyn's assassination.
Any thoughts?
Other than "The international left's kingdom is tumbling?" Satire of a hymn title National Review Online has been covering the Pim incident. Intresting politician for those who don't know anything about him. It appears the radical enviromentalists who allegedly murdered him have created a martyr. As that one state politican once said "Now we have you where you wanted us."
By the way, nice thread name.
There doesn't seem to be as great a public concern about the increase in the power of the Right over in Holland as there was with the French elections or with the election of 3 BNP council seats in Burnley, UK. I've been reading the news - it seems the anti-immigration party is likely to form a coalition with the Christian Democrats, and one of the trade-offs of the alliance will be a toning-down of their attitudes towards foreigners and immigrants. We shall see...
What about the thread name? Can't see anything funny about it...
Sven,
Hmm maybe its because politicians don't want to be seen to be speaking ill of the dead that there hasn't been the outcry over this result that there has been elsewhere ...
Also perhaps its because it is such a shock - one thing that has been constantly mentioned on reports of these elections by the BBC is that Dutch elections are normally very *boring*.
Another reason maybe is that the centre left parties are beginning to see a pattern emerging and are beginning to wonder about it?
Of course Blair will doubtless put the defeat down to the fact he didn't go over and campaign ... It would also seem the centre left in Germany are in trouble too...(If only the UK had a credible opposition party.... *sigh*)
Check out the other titles in this topic. YOur's is much better.
Mr. Forturyn was heavily demonized in life by Dutch other politicians, which may have led to his death. Of course, I would hardly call Forturyn far right wing either.
Need I remind everyone that "left" and "right" are just metaphorical simplifications of complex political movements?
One that comes from where factions sat in that French legslative body after the revolution and before Robspierre's (sp?) reign of terror. It was brought to you by the say guys that brought you ten day weeks and the month of thermidor.
Yeah we know, but does the European Media?