List leader Arjan van der Weegen of the Municipality of Belangen Werknemers Party (GBWP) in Bergen op Zoom is biting off for the first time now that his party is under fire for possible recruitment practices. According to the party leader, the above-average number of proxy votes cast for his party is no surprise and is easily explained. “This hurts a lot. We are accused when we have nothing to defend ourselves against.”
Last week, in two polling stations (Gageldonk and Auris Montaal) in Bergen op Zoom, two candidates of the GBWP were voted so often by proxy that Mayor Frank Petter did not trust it. He therefore filed a complaint with the judiciary, which is investigating the case. Van der Weegen is happy that the mayor wants to get to the bottom of the matter. He is confident in the outcome of the investigation.
“The facts are the facts, we agree. But I think things should be investigated first. I resent the media that already seem to draw a provisional conclusion that damages us as a party. When it turns out that my people are involved, they know what the consequence is: then they fly out.”
In the two polling stations, between 19 and 22 percent of the votes were cast by proxy, almost twice as much as the average percentage in municipal elections. Van der Weegen: “But you cannot compare this result with four years ago. Just like last year, we have now had elections in corona time. This is a neighborhood with many involved residents of migrant origin in successive generations. Many proxy votes were also cast in the national elections. That has now happened again.”
The party leader has no doubts about the integrity of the two upcoming councilors. “They both have important social positions, which they don’t just risk.” Van der Weegen asked both of them emphatically on Monday evening whether they had recruited votes. “They assured me that they have followed the rules. I hold on to that.”
The allegation weighs heavily on his shoulders, especially for the youngest (student of 22). He hasn’t been able to sleep for two nights. He campaigned very hard to get a seat. This boy organizes soccer tournaments and is a volunteer in the neighborhood. He really had a completely different expectation with this new step. We are trying to guide him as best we can and I hope we can put this behind us soon.”
The matter came to light after an anonymous report. “I do not understand that. Just speak out in public because this is also harmful to Bergen op Zoom.” Does he suspect who made the report? “Let’s just say you have friends and enemies in politics.”
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