Another animal party strives for place in the Lower House

A second animal party wants to participate in the Lower House elections in October. Newcomer Peace for Animals says it not only puts the interests of animals first, but also to be a peace movement. “If you stand up for animals, nature and the environment, in our vision you can only be completely against frills,” says Pascale Plusquin (51), chairman of the party publishing a point plan this Monday.

The views of Peace for Animals vary from an end to the bio-industry and to animal testing to a 1.5 degree climate test for the national budget. Unlike the Party for the Animals (PvdD), the initiators do not want extra money for defense with a view to the Russian threat. Furthermore, military actions can only count on support with a UN mandate. Violence ‘gets a more important place in policy, education and awareness’. Also in geopolitical issues, Peace states for animals, “is a party needed that does not primarily represent or put the interests of people at the center, but that of all voice -free animals.”

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Amendment change

Plusquin was a member of the States in Limburg for more than eight years and was ninth on the national PvdD’s national list in 2023. In addition to Plusquin, the board of Peace for Animals from Annemarie van Gelder, previously, exists chairman of the Frisian department of the PvdD, and Jurgen Suurmeijer, who until recently was in the PvdD advice.

The creation of Peace for Animals cannot be seen separately from the change of course of the PvdD to support the European REACHENCHOOK, PLUSQUIN confirms. During the member congress in June, a tight majority supported the group position to support the REARMEME Europe REACHNATION PROGRAM. “Without a free rule of law, we cannot fight for the climate and nature,” said party leader Ouwehand at the time.

Plusquin: “A animal party was unique since its foundation at the beginning of this century because she granted a transcending interest to non-people and because she was against armament. Earlier this year the PvdD put that pacifism aside. We heard from many people that they want to continue to oppose the arms race. Normally you choose a different party.”

Investing in armament remains a sensitive point within the PvdD. Former leader and co -founder Marianne Thieme and Senate Niko Koffeman fiercely opposed the new defense policy.

These well -known critics are not involved in the establishment of Vrede voor Dieren, Plusquin says when asked. According to her, this also applies to the two Rotterdam municipal councilors who have detached themselves from the PvdD in protest, including former party chairman Ruud van der Velden.

The registration at the Electoral Council has been completed, says Plusquin, until the Deadline of 15 September the party has to draw up a list of candidates. “We have people in mind, but we are also waiting for who will report in the coming period. In any case, the board members will not be on the list of candidates.”

According to Plusquin, the fact that peace for animals abbreviated VVD is – almost like the liberals. “We don’t shorten it.”

Turbulent period

In the national elections in 2023, the PvdD fell from six to three seats; A turbulent period with a conflict between Esther Ouwehand and the then board preceded this. Before that, PvdD scored up to eleven seats in polls, now that is four to six.

Plusquin: “We are convinced that there is also sufficient potential for Peace for Animals. In the short term we see ourselves as a driver, certainly not as a board party.”

It is not, says Plusquin, that the new party wants to take on the Party for the Animals. “I have no personal conflict with Esther Ouwehand or with the party. We focus our arrows mainly on BBB that is responsible for the disastrous agricultural policy of this cabinet. We must of course resolve the nitrogen crisis quickly, but that also applies to the other forms of contamination and the large -scale animal suffering in the agricultural sector.”

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