The state of the Netherlands

[anton pulisov]

Latest poll (by seats):

SGP - Evangelical Women Haters 2
PvdD - Animal Lovers 2
Trots op NL - Dutch Pride 2
CU - Christian Union 5
GL - Green Left 11
VVD - Thatcherites 17
SP - Populists 18
D66 - Coalition makers 19
PvdA - (New) Labour - 21
CDA - Christian Democrats - 26
PVV - Geert Wilders' anti-foreigner, anti-muslim movement - 27

That's insane.

[Errorist Sympathiser]

The state of the Netherlands

Is it wrong of to immediately assume that the pro-animals bit of PvdD referred to bestiality?

[anton pulisov]

The state of the Netherlands

hehe, i can see how you'd think that, looking at the parties above and below them.

no, they're an animal rights party

[Outside Agent]

The state of the Netherlands

Looking at that list, my initial conclusion on the state of the Netherlands is "wow, such an array of parties, representing a number of social issues, encompassing all parts of the political spectrum, and with no dominant group. I'm impressed".

Is the rise of the anti-Muslim party based on a prominent politician(s) forcing the issue through the media, or is it representative of the matter of Islamic culture in the Netherlands holding greater importance for a growing number of people?

[Guest]

The state of the Netherlands

Is the rise of the anti-Muslim party based on a prominent politician(s) forcing the issue through the media, or is it representative of the matter of Islamic culture in the Netherlands holding greater importance for a growing number of people?

Geert Wilders does appear to have had some impact. As does the stabbing in the streets of poor old van Gogh, I'd reckon.

[Guest]

The state of the Netherlands

Bahiryan wrote:

hehe, i can see how you'd think that, looking at the parties above and below them.

no, they're an animal rights party

Will they propose funding educational projects in Central African countries where tribes are taught the evil of ritual slaughter of ox at larger weddings?

I can see their Minister of Foreign Affairs really making an impact on the world.

[Brandenburger Toro]

The state of the Netherlands

Is "Dutch Pride" skinheads or, erm, really well-groomed skinheads?

[The Awesome Berbaslug!!!]

The state of the Netherlands

or a loaf of bread?

[Brandenburger Toro]

The state of the Netherlands

Ha!

They're kind of proud of it...

[The Purple Cow]

The state of the Netherlands

Despite leading the national polls, Geert Wilders party is absolutely nowhere to be found in Amsterdam opinion polls, polling at less than 2%.

PVV people are saying it's because Amsterdammers are 'too scared' to admit that they actually support them. Though why anyone would be too scared to say anything to an opinion polster is anyone's guess. Amsterdammers are generally not backwards about coming forwards.

[Nocturnal Submission]

The state of the Netherlands

I'm not sure if the story was accurate, but I read yesterday that the Netherlands has the lowest unemployment rate in the EU at something like 2.4% or 2.6%. Impressive performance, that.

[Vulgarian Visigoth]

The state of the Netherlands

The Purple Cow wrote:

Despite leading the national polls, Geert Wilders party is absolutely nowhere to be found in Amsterdam opinion polls, polling at less than 2%.

PVV people are saying it's because Amsterdammers are 'too scared' to admit that they actually support them. Though why anyone would be too scared to say anything to an opinion polster is anyone's guess. Amsterdammers are generally not backwards about coming forwards.

Actually pollsters apply correction factors prividing for the assumption that people are more reluctant to admit they vote certain parties /hold certain views.

[Logan Mountstuart]

The state of the Netherlands

How can D66 be rising like a pheonix from the flames? As far as I've ever been able to see, they don't actually stand for anything apart from being a handy block that's readily available should anyone else be wanting to put a coalition together.

I think it's positively scary knowing that more than 1 in 4 people I'll see in the supermarket tomorrow, could actually even be contemplating voting for Wilders.

Whenever I see him, I just feel like ruffling his hair up a bit.

[The Purple Cow]

The state of the Netherlands

You're more polite than me Logan. I just feel like flattening his nose.

[anton pulisov]

The state of the Netherlands

Nocturnal Submission wrote:

I'm not sure if the story was accurate, but I read yesterday that the Netherlands has the lowest unemployment rate in the EU at something like 2.4% or 2.6%. Impressive performance, that.

It was 5% last week and set to go up to 8% by the end of the year. Still ahead of other countries in this time of economic difficulty, however.

[Guest]

The state of the Netherlands

why anyone would be too scared to say anything to an opinion polster is anyone's guess

Shame may be a stronger drive than fear in this case.

[The Purple Cow]

The state of the Netherlands

I don't think that's it.

I think Amsterdam and the Netherlands are just two different countries.

[anton pulisov]

The state of the Netherlands

If the results of the Amsterdam constituency were reproduced nationwide then the Netherlands would be governed by a Social Democrat absolute majority, with the Greens and the Socialists leading the opposition. Then there'd be some right wing parties with a couple of seats each, sitting on their thumbs. Geert wouldn't even get one seat for himself.