It is an exciting day for Bas de Wit (30) from Andijk. Despite its modest place on the list, number 48 on the VVD list campaigned vigorously in West Friesland. Election day is undoubtedly a hectic one for him, but it turns out: for De Wit it is a regular working day.
Posters, banners, flyers. You could hardly avoid Bas de Wit in West Friesland in recent weeks. With the slogan ‘The Hague could use a West Frisian’ he tried to attract as many voters as possible. He largely paid for the campaign out of his own pocket. “Fortunately, I also received some help from some local sponsors,” says De Wit.
So number 48. A miracle will have to happen for that to be enough for a place in the House of Representatives. “In any case, you are seen by the party,” says De Wit. “There are many candidates throughout the Netherlands and we cannot all be in position 25.”
Three times Andijk of voters needed
To be elected via preferential voting, you must obtain 18,000 votes. That is equivalent to almost three times the population of Andijk. “That is of course quite a lot. I have to rely on a good result for the party. And then I just hope that we get back into government with the VVD, that some people will move on and that it will eventually be my turn for a seat in The Hague. Because that is my ultimate goal.”
He has done his best in recent weeks. For example, 6,000 flyers were distributed, he stood in shopping centers, he spoke to countless people and his head could be seen along roads and at stickers. He bursts out laughing. “Can I still see my own head? At some point it will be nice that it is finished.”
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One of the banners along the road – on the Markerwaardweg near Medemblik – was heavily defaced with graffiti. To De Wit’s disappointment. “Other parties also suffer from this, unfortunately. On the other hand, I think it is special that someone takes the trouble to go onto the land and do this.”
And then it is November 22: the day that has been circled in red for De Wit for months. An undoubtedly busy day for the Andijker. “You might say so, but that’s not so bad.” In daily life, De Wit, in addition to being a member of Parliament, works as a credit advisor at ABN Amro in Amsterdam. “I have an appointment with a client in the morning, together with a colleague. So I have a normal working day, you could say. In the evening I am in The Hague, where we meet with the party to discuss the election results. I’m curious to see what it will be.”
Two more West Frisians are eligible
In addition to Bas de Wit, two more West Frisians can vote for today in the House of Representatives elections. Pelle Koopman from De Goorn is in 18th place on Forum for Democracy. Given the polls, it seems unlikely that he will enter the House of Representatives. The same applies to Sumer Shaban from Hoorn. It can be found at number 63 of the D66.