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Party for Freedom

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Template:Infobox Dutch Political Party

This article is about the Party of Freedom previously known as Group Wilders. For the historic party, see Freedom Party (Netherlands).

The Party for Freedom (Template:Lang-nl, PVV) is a Dutch conservative political party. It is led by Geert Wilders, who was the only representative in Dutch parliament of the forerunner of the party, the Group Wilders faction. The party won nine seats in the 2006 general election, making it the fifth largest party in parliament, and third largest opposition party.

History

The party's history starts with Geert Wilders' departure from the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in September 2004. Wilders could not reconcile himself with the VVD positive stance towards Turkey's possible accession to the European Union, and left the party disgruntled.

Although the VVD would have expected Wilders to return his parliamentary seat to the party, Wilders refused, and continued to sit in parliament as a one-man faction, Groep Wilders (Group Wilders).

In June 2005, Wilders was one of the leaders in the campaign against the European Constitution, that was rejected by Dutch voters by 62%.[1]

Bart Jan Spruyt, director of the conservative Edmund Burke Stichting, joined the party in January 2006, in order to formulate a party programme and to train its prospective representatives for the upcoming national election (then still scheduled for 2007).[2] Spruyt left the party in the summer of 2006, after it proved unable to provide for a greater conservative movement behind it, and people like Joost Eerdmans and Marco Pastors were unwilling to join the party.[3] After the 2006 elections, Spruyt said he wasn't surprised that the Party for Freedom won in the election, but he maintains that if the Party for Freedom sought this cooperation with Eerdmans and Pastors, the party would have won more seats, even enough so to help a possible CDA-VVD cabinet to a majority.[4] Later, Spruyt commented that the PVV had a 'natural tendency' toward fascism.[5] He later qualified the statement, though he didn't withdraw it. Former PVV candidate Lucas Hartong called Spruyt's claims 'a cheap insinuation'.[6]

In a HP/De Tijd profile dated December 2006 the party was described as a cult, with an extremely distrustful Wilders only accepting fellow candidates completely loyal to him, and compared to the SP led by Jan Marijnissen but without reaching that degree of organizational perfection.[7]

On January 10 2007, the PVV declared not to field candidates for the upcoming Provincial elections, this will also lead to the party being unrepresented in the Upper House of Parliament, de Eerste Kamer.[8]

On January 13 2007 NRC Handelsblad reported that a PVV intern had solicited for signatures on the website forums Dutch Disease Report and Polinco, the latter forum being described as far right by various organizations, among them the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet.[9] Any party participating in this election was required to collect at least 30 signatures of party supporters in each of the 19 election districts; of the 1500 signatures the PVV received, the Dutch Antifa group identified 34 known far right supporters. In a response, Wilders said he regretted that far right sympathizers provided signatures, claimed no personal responsibility for the soliciting and repeated his dislike for far-right parties like Front National and Vlaams Belang [10].[11] [12] Noted right-wing publicist Leon de Winter later declared the affair to be the result of a campaign of demonization against Geert Wilders led by NRC Handelsblad and Volkskrant newspapers, as well as the VARA (broadcaster). [13]

Former labour union leader and prominent Christian Democrat Doekle Terpstra proposed an initiative against Geert Wilders and the PVV on November 30, 2007, in newspaper Trouw.[14] Terpstra sees Wilders as promoting discrimination against Muslims and intolerance. He is supported in his cause by the large Dutch trade unions and refugee organizations. Politicians and the public are divided on Terpstra's initiative.[15] Newspaper De Pers reported the next day that much of Terpstra's support did not actualize.[16]

Platform

The Party for Freedom combines economic liberalism with a conservative programme towards immigration and culture. The party seeks tax cuts (€16 billion in the 2006 election programme), de-centralization, abolishment of the minimum wage, limiting of child benefits and government subsidies. Towards immigration and culture, the party believes that the Judeo-Christian and humanist traditions should be treated as the dominant culture in the Netherlands, and that immigrants should adapt accordingly. The party wants a halt to immigration from non-western countries. It is skeptical towards the EU project, is against future EU enlargement with countries like Turkey and opposes the presence of Islam in the Netherlands. The party is also opposed to dual citizenship (see below).

Political issues

Dual nationality

In February 2007, PVV parliamentarian Fritsma introduced a motion that would have prohibited any parliamentarian or executive branch politician from having dual citizenship. The PVV claims that it is unclear where someone's loyalty lies when one has two nationalities; the motion would have made it difficult if not impossible for Labour MPs Ahmed Aboutaleb and Nebahat Albayrak to become members of the new government. The motion had to be retracted though, after heavy pressure from the chairman of parliament, Gerdi Verbeet (Labour Party).[17] University of Maastricht law professor Twan Tak sees a risk in executive branch officials having dual citizenship, and was angered by Verbeet's insistence to close the debate.[18] Despite, the PVV planned to call for a vote of no confidence against junior ministers Aboutaleb and Albayrak when the new cabinet had its first meeting with parliament.[19] Although the parliamentary motion in the end was only supported by the PVV itself[20], an internet poll showed that a majority of Dutch were behind it.[21]

The issue of dual nationality however, was not over yet. On March 2, Radio Netherlands reported that Labour Party MP Khadiya Arib, who was just sworn into parliament the day before, is sitting in a Moroccan commission appointed by the Moroccan king.[22] The PVV held that this commission work by Arib endangers her loyalty to the Netherlands, and that she should choose between being a parliamentarian and sitting in that commission. Geert Wilders said it was shameful that Arib said on national television that her loyalty lies neither in Holland, nor Morocco.[23] The liberal VVD had also problems with Arib's work, saying that her "double orientation would hurt Dutch integration."[24] All other parties were appalled by the PVV and VVD's behaviour.[25]

Other

In 2007, the party supported the (unsuccessful) parliamentary motion that would remove the moratorium on stem cell research.

The party fielded a controversial motion in the 2007 algemene beschouwingen of the immigration budget, that called for a stop of immigration from Muslim countries. Parliament at first would not move to bring the motion up for discussion. Justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said the motion was in violiation of the Dutch constitution and international treaties.[26] Another motion by the PVV, that found it undesirable for police agents to wear veils, did find a parliamentary majority.[27]

Wilders has also put forth the idea that the Netherlands should open up its own "Guantanamo Bay," that would detain people which the intelligence service sees as a security treat, somewhat akin to the Israeli administrative detention.[28]

Name

The name "Party for Freedom" (Partij voor de Vrijheid) was chosen in order to refer to the Freedom Party (Partij van de Vrijheid), a Dutch political party founded just after the Second World War which eventually merged with a faction of social-liberal dissidents from the PvdA, led by Pieter Oud, to become the VVD in 1948.[29]

Election results (2006-)

Dutch House of Representatives
Election year # of total votes % of overall vote # of seats won
2006 579,490 5,90% 9

Representation

Members of the Tweede Kamer

After the 2006 elections the party has 9 representatives in the Dutch House of Representatives, chosen are:

  • Geert Wilders - parliamentary chairman
  • Fleur Agema, the only female representative, formerly a LPF member and provincial representative for this party, critical of the way subsidies are spent
  • Raymond de Roon, a prosecutor responsible for crime-fighting policies
  • Hero Brinkman, Amsterdam policeman, nicknamed Rambo of the Bellamybuurt[30]
  • Martin Bosma - party secretary, media background worked for CNN, ABC News, NOS News and RTL News
  • Dion Graus, former car salesman and sales representative in veterinary products. NRC Handelsblad alleged on December 10 2006 he had a history of unpaid bills, fraud, lawsuits, disgruntled employers and abusive relations with women [31]. The Dutch justice department later reported that three counts filed against Graus were dismissed [32]. In addition, the Volkskrant on January 27 2007 found several NRC allegation lacking substance (bills paid for after all) and also reported that Graus had the full confidence of party leader Wilders [33].
  • Barry Madlener, formerly city council member of Leefbaar Rotterdam with a background in real estate
  • Teun van Dijck, financial specialist with background in consultancy, Kindergarten buddy of Wilders [7].
  • Sietse Fritsma, former civil servant with Immigration background

Given that the party is still a relatively young political organisation, its 2006 electoral results can be regarded as quite remarkable, giving the party more seats in the House of Representatives than well-established parties such as GreenLeft, Democrats 66 and ChristianUnion. Its surprisingly rapid rise in popularity also caught many political pundits off guard, especially as the pre-election polls were predominantly predicting a gain of no more than 6 seats.[citation needed]

Currently (2007-10-06) the party is riding a wave of popularity, with the latest polls even putting it ahead of the Labour Party (Netherlands), indicating it would win 24 seats if an election were to be held today [34].

Possible explanations for its current political fortunes could be widespread fear of muslims and islamophobia amongst the Dutch public in general, disenchantment towards the newly formed Government, Fourth Balkenende cabinet, and the PVV's backing of a referendum on the ratification by The Netherlands of the European Constitution in its current proposed form, which is a hot topic in Dutch politics at the moment. The majority of voters support such a referendum [35].

Varia

The Party for Freedom is the only functioning Dutch party without a membership structure. It is as yet impossible for private citizens to become PVV party members. [36][37]

References

  1. ^ "Dutch say 'No' to EU constitution". BBC News. 2005-06-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Template:Nl icon"Spruyt sluit zich aan bij Geert Wilders". Elsevier. 2006-01-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Template:Nl icon"„Historische kans voorbij"". Reformatorisch Dagblad. 2006-08-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Template:Nl icon"Spruyt: Negeren van Wilders onverstandig". Reformatorisch Dagblad. 2006-11-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Template:Nl icon"Weimar in aanbouw (deel 1)". Bart J. Spruyt. 2007-1-1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Template:Nl icon"Het is me wat!". Lucas Hartong. 2007-01-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b Template:Nl icon Haagse Sekte Alain van der Horst, Kirsten Munk, Joost Niemoller HP/De Tijd December 1 2006
  8. ^ Template:Nl icon"„Partij Wilders doet niet mee aan Statenverkiezingen"". Volkskrant. 2007-01-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Template:Nl icon MDI jaarverslag 2003
  10. ^ Template:Nl icon NRC Handelsblad January 13 2007 PVV riep steun van extreem-rechts in Link
  11. ^ Template:Nl icon Trouw January 13 2007 Wilders ontkent oproep tot steun extreem rechts Link
  12. ^ Template:Nl icon Volkskrant January 15 2007 Extreem-rechtse steun verdriet Wilders [1]
  13. ^ Template:Nl icon Elsevier January 15 2007 De demonisering van Geert Wilders [2]
  14. ^ Doekle Terpstra (2007-11-30). "'Nee' tegen kwade boodschap Wilders". Trouw. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |acccessdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Dutch show mixed reactions to anti-Muslim party". Radio Netherlands. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Tekort aan redelijke positivo's". De Pers. 2007-12-05. Retrieved 2007-12-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Template:Nl icon"MPs unimpressed with motion from PVV". Expatica. 2007-02-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Template:Nl icon"'Smoren discussie dubbel paspoort schandalig'". Elsevier. 2007-02-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Template:En icon"Dutch politician doubts Muslim ministers' loyalty". Reuters. 2007-02-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Template:En icon"Opposition criticises cabinet in debate". Expatica. 2007-03-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Template:En icon"Poll: Majority Backs Motion Against Muslim State Secretaries". NIS News. 2007-02-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Template:En icon"Dutch MP to serve as advisor to Moroccan king". Radio Netherlands. 2007-03-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Template:Nl icon"Kamer akkoord met Marokkaans advieswerk Arib". Elsevier. 2007-03-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Template:Nl icon"Kamp: Nevenfunctie Arib schaadt integratie". Reformatorisch Dagblad. 2007-03-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Template:Nl icon"Lange dag in de Kamer met veel hatelijkheden". NRC Handelsblad. 2007-03-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Minister: Wilders' moslimmotie is onmogelijk". Elsevier. 2007-11-22. Retrieved 2007-11-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "'Agente met hoofddoek absoluut onwenselijk'". Nu.nl. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Wilders wil Nederlandse Guantanamo". Algemeen Dagblad. 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2007-11-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Template:Nl icon"Groep Wilders wordt Partij voor de Vrijheid". Elsevier. 2006-02-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ H. Brinkman - Parlement.com
  31. ^ NRC article on disputed background of Dion GrausNooit Veroordeeld (Never convicted) NRC Handelsblad December 10 2006
  32. ^ [3] Zaken tegen Graus waren geseponeerd, NRC Handelsblad
  33. ^ Template:Nl icon Volkskrant January 27 2007 Graus pareert de zwaarste aanvallen Link
  34. ^ Template:Nl icon"PVV verslaat PvdA in peiling". nieuws.nl. 2007-09-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Template:Nl icon"Nieuw Referendum EU". Peil.nl.
  36. ^ [4] University of Groningen Documentation Centre of Dutch Political Parties (Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen)
  37. ^ Dohmen, Joep (2007-04-21). "Alleen Wilders lid PVV" (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Retrieved 2007-04-22. Geert Wilders vernieuwt de politiek. Het is de eerste keer in de parlementaire geschiedenis dat een politieke partij in de Tweede Kamer zit die geen leden heeft.
    [...]De internetsite van Wilders' Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) roept wel op om donateur te worden. Wie vrijwilliger wil zijn, is ook welkom, net als alle kiezers. Maar lid worden, dat mag niet.     {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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