Post by pieter on May 29, 2024 12:01:22 GMT -7
The Algemeen Dagblad (English: General Daily Paper), also known by its initialism AD, is a Dutch daily newspaper based in Rotterdam.
The extreme Right Dutch politician Thierry Baudet (Left) and the Far Right Dutch politician Geert Wilders (Right)
They were so happy with the PVV's win, but disappointment prevails among the far right after Schoof's choice as prime minister
Elodie Verweij, Wouter Peer 29-05-24, 18:09 Last update: 18:35i]The NOS News(ene)
Today, 17:50
(ene)Modified today, 18:01[/i][/font]
Since November 22, PVV leader Geert Wilders has been regarded as the great savior of the Dutch right. But with Dick Schoof as intended prime minister, far-right prominent figures suddenly turn their backs on Wilders. Will this cost the PVV seats?
When Geert Wilders and his PVV (Freedom Party) managed to achieve a historic election victory on November 22 2023, the most right-wing part of the Netherlands celebrated. Not only the supporters of the PVV, but also the even more radical FVD supporters (Forum for Democracy supporters) were cheering for Wilders. Thierry Baudet, the party leader of Forum for Democracy - who does not often compliment other political leaders - wrote on X the day after the elections: 'Congratulations to Wilders. An exceptionally good result!'
Almost six months later, the right-wing quartet concluded an outline agreement. Even then, pride prevailed. For example, Eva Vlaardingerbroek, the right-wing conservative political commentator, wrote on X: "After five months, a right-wing government has finally been formed! It is definitely a big step in the right direction.”
And now the upcoming right-wing coalition has also found a prime minister who wants to lead the cabinet. A Prime Minister with a lot of experience and a good reputation.
Different tone
But Eva Vlaardingerbroek's response to this was of a quite different tone than her previous messages. She posted in English on X: 'The situation is bad. Really bad.'
The Leiden legal philosopher Andreas Kinneging was also not happy: "A top official like Prime Minister who was the head of both secret services? Speaking of the power of the deep state... This is really not a good idea.”
Journalist Wierd Duk of the largest Dutch newspaper, the conservative and Populist, De Telegraaf, loved by the far right in the Netherlands, finds Schoof's appointment incomprehensible: "Yet it is strange that in a heavily politicized time, a security technocrat will lead the cabinet."
Eva Vlaardingerbroek at the ultimate right-wing conservative conference CPAC in Hungary. Geert Wilders was also invited to speak here. © ANP / EPA
And disappointment also prevails with Baudet: "If you get 37 anti-establishment seats, you choose the most establishment person in the whole of The Hague as prime minister. Cuckoo. This is literally Rutte 2.0.”
The joy among prominent figures on the far right flank seems to have suddenly turned into disappointment. With three parties in the coalition (PVV, NSC and BBB) representing the opposing voice, it was hoped for a prime minister who symbolized the right-wing voice.
But what do they get? As Baudet himself says: 'A left-wing mainstream guy who has been a civil servant all his life, pro-EU, pro-climate policy, pro-Nato and pro-war in Ukraine'. And then Schoof was also the boss of the Dutch Secret Service, the AIVD. In the far right world there is the idea that it is not the democratically elected leaders, but a secret and influential elite that is in charge in our country. In Baudet's eyes, Dick Schoof is the symbol of this.
Wilders' position
The big question now is: what does this mean for Wilders' position? A poll by the RTL News Panel shows that the PVV and BBB supporters of all coalition parties are the least interested in Schoof as prime minister. Around 70 percent of PVV and BBB voters are satisfied with it. For NSC and VVD this percentage is around 80 percent.
Are some voters starting to drop out? That cannot yet be said with certainty, says pollster Gijs Rademaker of the RTL News Panel. "I cannot say whether right-wing voters do not have confidence in Dick Schoof, or whether they simply do not know him. These voters are less interested in the political news of the day.”
Peter Kanne of research agency Ipsos I&O does not think that the PVV has to fear an exodus. He notes that the FVD supporters in particular will be disappointed in the choice of the prime minister and not so much the PVV voter. Moreover, since the corona crisis, there has hardly been any spillover between PVV and FVD voters. Kanne: "I cannot imagine that this will negatively affect the PVV. Wilders will lose at most a few seats.”[/font
More criticism
Schoof is not only criticized in far-right circles. Muhsin Köktas of the Contact Body for Muslims and Government wonders whether the Muslim community in the Netherlands will come more under a magnifying glass. When Schoof was director, the NCTV paid for undercover investigations that municipalities conducted at Islamic organizations.
Civil rights organization Bits of Freedom also has its doubts. "In the entire domain in which he has been active, repression wins over legal protection," says director Evelyn Austin.