“Lidewij! Lidewij! Lidewij!”, chants the audience in the Italian restaurant in Amsterdam South where Forum for Democracy is watching the first two exit polls. Six seats is a doubling of the current number of seats. “A clear sign that the Dutch think things need to change,” says De Vos himself. She argued for a cabinet with specialist ministers.
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Former Member of Parliament Freek Jansen spoke of a ‘great result’ shortly after the first exit poll. According to him, it is also due to the ‘fresh feeling’ that De Vos brought as a replacement for Thierry Baudet. “We are now an important factor,” says Jansen. He complimented Rob Jetten and D66 on the good result.
De Vos’s new style has pushed Forum up, thinks Ralf Dekker, number five on the list. He seems quite assured of a place in the House. “Six would be nice, seven would be fantastic. Then you can also divide the portfolios properly.” Pepijn van Houwelingen (number six) is also happy. “A doubling, that’s just fantastic.”
Strategic choice
Lidewij de Vos sees the most in a business cabinet, in which varying majorities in the House of Representatives make decisions. “Then the voice of the Netherlands will be heard at its best.” She would also like to talk about a coalition, with all parties. “The only thing that is a breaking point for us is the introduction of a binding referendum.”
She attributes the fact that the party is doing a lot better with its down-to-earth story than under Baudet to the difference in style. “We both support the same program 100 percent, Forum has not changed.”
Thierry Baudet is happy that the party he founded has doubled under De Vos’ leadership. “That is proof that I made the right decision! I am very proud of Lidewij!”