Frans Timmermans calls his party GroenLinks-PvdA the only alternative to get the Netherlands off the current right-wing course. The fact that Geert Wilders’ PVV still scores so well in the polls is because people think that other parties will work with him after the elections. “They do not believe right parties who now say that they are not going to go to a cabinet with him. And I understand that people think so.”
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Timmermans compared on Saturday during the GroenLinks-PvdA election congress in Rotterdam Ahoy PVV leader Wilders with the drunken uncle who says unacceptable things during a birthday party, while everyone keeps his mouth shut. That also happens in the Lower House, if party leaders of large parties do not rise, Timmermans said. “He is too contradicted and it is not sufficiently made clear what the norms and values are in this country. As a result, he was able to grow that way.”
No tumult, unity central
The election meeting of the merger party did not like the tumultuous party congress of GL-PVDA that was held in June. Then there was division about the party policy around the violence in Gaza, “Boe” was called and tears flowed. This Saturday, the unit was central to Rotterdam Ahoy. There was no discussion, the election program was adopted by more than 97 percent.
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“You will probably find it a shame that there was no hassle,” Timmermans told the media afterwards. “A very extensive discussion has preceded this congress. I think a lot of parties can take an example of our party democracy.”
Members on the GroenLinks_PVDA Congress, Saturday in Rotterdam.foto Ramon van Flymen/ANP
Timmermans was also briefly about the polls to journalists. The largest left -wing opposition party shows no growth, despite the many crises in the fallen right -wing cabinet. In the combined poll of polling guide, the party scored 25 seats this month, the same as the number of seats in the Lower House and seven less than the PVV.
Huge shifts
What is his statement of the stagnation? “You are talking about stagnation, we have been stable in the polls for a long time. We have seen in the previous elections that huge shifts occurred in the last few weeks. I assume that this time it will happen again.”
Many members who are present in Rotterdam are optimism, according to a tour. Floris Burgers (31) also hopes and expects that the polls for his party will rise. “But I am worried about the lack of growth,” he says prior to the congress. Especially with people with a modest income and education, for whom the PvdA was founded, he would hope for more supporters. “I really see it as a duty to restore that.”
The fact that citizens holds confidence has to do with the size of the merger party. “I certainly think it will be fine, with our 120,000 members we have more than enough manpower to make the connection in the neighborhoods.”
Jan Slijkhuis, a member of the PvdA for more than fifty years, also holds hope in more seats. “You see it more often in elections. Only in the last two weeks does a large proportion of voters form their opinion, for example after the TV debates.”
Jesse Klaver gives speech during the GroenLinks-Pvda Congress.foto Ramon van Flymen/ANP
Criticism of party leader?
The lack of growth does not want or cannot explain congress people. It is not the right moment for criticism of the party leader now, some say. Others call it a problem that the left as a whole does not grow. Parties such as D66 and SP are also not on large winning, while voters switch mainly within the right or within the left, Slijkhuis knows. “Yes, CDA leader Bontenbal sees his supporters grow, that is true. It is very reasonable, but not clear. That is easy now. But that will also change direction [verkiezingsdag] October 29. ”
The popular Bontenbal was the target for Jesse Klaver. In his speech, the former leader of GroenLinks – third on the list for the elections – said to be concerned about the right -wing policy of the CDA. Such as cutting back on healthcare and increasing the rent. “Do you know what they call it? Rest, cleanliness and regularity,” said Klaver. “But at rest you can’t live, with cleanliness you don’t pay the groceries and you regularly don’t keep the extreme right out of power.”
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