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[CrunchyB]

On Wednesday the 15th of March the Netherlands will vote on the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the bicameral parliament of the Netherlands, the States General, the other one being the Senate. It has 150 seats which are filled through elections using a party-list proportional representation.

Seats in the Tweede Kamer, once assigned to a person, are final and cannot be taken away by anyone, but they can be voluntarily released.

After all seats are allocated a government is formed, usually based on a majority of the seats. Due to the nationwide party-list system and the low election threshold, it is nearly impossible for one party to win the 76 seats needed for a majority in the House of Representatives. Since the current party-list proportional representation system was introduced in 1918, no party has even approached the number of seats necessary for an outright majority. Parties will need to work together to form a coalition.

Partij Voor de Vrijheid (PVV)

Geert Wilders

Wilders has been in the TK for 18 years, he used to be part of the VVD but split off in 2004 because he refused to consider Turkey as a possible candidate EU member state. His party, the "Freedom Party" is unique in that it only has 1 member, Geert Wilders himself, other PVV followers have no say in the course of the party. He wants to ban the Koran and he wants to leave the EU. He also wants to spend more money on healthcare and the elderly, cut development aid and lower taxes. He is pro-gay rights and pro-Israel.

https://www.pvv.nl/visie.html

Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD)

Mark Rutte

Rutte has been the Parliamentary leader of the VVD since 2006. The VVD won the election in 2010 but was forced to form a coalition with the CDA and to being "tolerated" by the PVV. The negotiations took 4 months and only managed to gather the minimum required amount of seats (76). About a year later Wilders withdrew his support and the cabinet collapsed. New elections were called, the VVD won again and this time engaged a coalition with the PvdA. This cabinet, Rutte II, was much more robust and thanks to the good personal relations between Rutte and the senior PvdA members managed to survive various blunders and affairs. The VVD wants a smaller government, lower taxes, less (EU) regulations and a free market. They also want strict immigration rules and more resources for the police and the army.

https://vvd.nl/verkiezingsprogramma

Christen-Democratisch Appel (CDA)

Sybrand Buma

The CDA (Christian Democrats) was founded in 1977 and has been part of all but 3 cabinets since. Buma became the new leader of the CDA after the collapse of Rutte I in 2012 which he blamed on the PVV. They have gone down a lot in the polls since their 43 seats in 2002, but recently they recovered some ground. The party places great focus on family values, community and justice and is pro-EU. They are conservative on various social issues, they want to stop tolerating marihuana and further restrict abortion, prostitution and euthanasia.

https://www.cda.nl/partij/tk2017/verkiezingsprogramma/

Democraten 66 (D66)

Alexander Pechtold

Pechtold has been the leader of D66 for over 10 years and is widely considered to be the nemesis of Wilders. In the past he called Wilders extreme-right and "a danger to the state". D66 was founded 51 years ago with the explicit purpose to improve the democratic process. They have been off and on succeful and occasionally joined a coalition. Their seats have ranged between 24 and 3 through the years, but Pechtold has always been very well regarded and brought some stability. They are very pro-EU and value freedom and equality. They have been instrumental in drafting groundbreaking laws: legalization of gay marriage (2001) and euthanasia (2002).

https://d66.nl/verkiezingsprogramma-samen-sterker-kansen-iedereen/

GroenLinks (GL)

Jesse Klaver

Jesse Klaver is the new hip kid on the block at only 30 years and has had a fair amount of success channeling Obama. The party was founded in '89 and has Pacifist and Communist roots. Through the years, they have always pushed for a cleaner environment and use of renewable resources. Recently they adjusted their economic policy, it is now inspired on Piketty: lower taxes on work, higher taxes on income through capital. They also want to tax higher incomes and sharpen limits on public sector functions. They want to deal with multinationals who dodge taxes (often through the Netherlands).

https://groenlinks.nl/programma

Socialistische Partij (SP)

Emile Roemer

Emile Roemer has been the leader since 2010. SP wants to restructure heathcare and handle everything through a single public fund, as opposed to the current semi-liberalized market structure. They want to raise minimum wage and lower retirement age back to 65, more benefits for the poor and middle class. More taxes for the rich and for big business. They also want to drastically reduce the power of the EU.

https://www.sp.nl/verkiezingsprogramma-2017-pak-de-macht

Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA)

Lodewijk Asscher
The PvdA (Labour) was historically the biggest party in the Netherlands and very influential, but has been struggling recently. During the last few years many people felt that the PvdA lost sight of their constituents. It didn't help that their new labour law was a total faillure. But recently they replaced their previous leader Samson with Asscher (who btw is reponsible for that labour law) and have started to distance themselves from the VVD. Prominent members include Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and mayor of Rotterdam Achmed Aboutaleb. Their focal points include giving everyone their fair share, steady jobs and strong labour laws, affordable and quality housing and healthcare.

https://www.pvda.nl/verkiezingen/verkiezingsprogramma/

Then there are number of established minor parties which will capture a few seats each. It's not unthinkable that one of these parties is required to form a majority coaltion.

50Plus : Henk Krol
Krol is connected with pension fund fraud, multiple bankruptcies and dangerous erection pills. 50Plus claims the Babyboomers are in serious need of help, even though all data says they collectively gained the most through their carreer. They want more money for pensioners even though all models say this can't be sustainable. Old people vote for him in droves, I don't even know what to say.

Partij voor de Dieren (PvdD) : Marianne Thieme
Established party with animal rights focus. Fairly stable and respected.

ChristenUnie : Gert-Jan Segers
Christian union. Fairly left wing, all inclusive, hippie christians.

Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (SGP) : Kees van der Staaij
Christian conservative protestants. Would stop women from voting if they could.

Then there are some new parties, maybe some will manage to grab a seat or two, we'll see.

Piratenpartij : Ancilla van de Leest
Wants to curtail government surveillance and improve digital freedom. Their leader is an ex-playboy model who knows her stuff.

DENK : Tunahan Kuzu
Pro-Erdogan Turkish PvdA splinter party. Don't believe the lies!

Artikel 1 : Sylvana Simons
DENK splinter party. Don't believe their lies!

Forum voor Democratie : Thierry Baudet
Curiously Russia-friendly libertarian party

GeenPeil : Jan Dijkgraaf
Started by the anti-establishment website Geenstijl, wants direct democracy and high transparency

VNL : Jan Roos
Party run by the ex-Geenstijl drunkard who championed against the Ukraine referendum without even reading the agreement

Ondernemers Partij : Hero Brinkman
Run by the drunkard who helped crash Rutte I

And even more fringe parties
NIEUWE WEGEN : Alfred Oosenbrug
De Burger Beweging : Ad Vlems
Vrijzinnige Partij : Norbert Klein
Niet Stemmers : Peter Plasman
Libertarische Partij (LP) : Robert Valentine
Lokaal in de Kamer : Jan Heijman
JEZUS LEEFT : Florens van der Spek
StemNL : Mario van den Eijnde
MenS en Spirit / Basisinkomen Partij / V-R : Tara-Joëlle Fonk
Vrije Democratische Partij (VDP) : Burhan Gökalp

Q: So if Wilders wins the election, will he become Prime Minister?
A: Only if other parties want this as well. But considering he burned bridges with his most likely allies the VVD and CDA only 4 years ago, this seems highly unlikely.

Q: Say he somehow becomes Prime Minister, either by miraculously winning 76 seats all by himself or other parties bowing to his might, will we see a Nexit?
A: Even if he has the full cooperation of a majority of the Tweede Kamer, he would still need a majority in the Eerste Kamer as well. Right now that seems out of the question. Elections of the Eerste Kamer are due in 2019.

Q: So what is the most likely outcome?
A: Because of the likely increasingly fragmented nature of the Tweede Kamer, it's starting to look like a monstrous 4+ party coalition will be required, most likely headed by the VVD. So maybe VVD+CDA+D66+GL. Or maybe the left wing parties will be able to unite their forces (hahaha). I expect coalition talks to last many months.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_general_election,_2017
https://stemwijzer.nl/
https://stemmentracker.nl/

 

[CrunchyB]

In progress...

 

[Nokterian]

Dutch Pirate Party represent!

Oh and if you didn't know this gaffer is on the electoral list number 30, so yeah we want a seat if possible!

 

[Divius]

Would GAF care about a Dutch election?

 

[Apharmd]

I do. But I was born in Amstelveen and am now living in the United States so I'm biased.

 

[JDB]

Would GAF care about a Dutch election?

Even the Dutch don't care.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

Even the Dutch don't care.

hoor

 

[Tempy]

Ugh...really hope PVV doesn't win.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Baudet is a Russian puppet.

 

[Hrothgar]

Would GAF care about a Dutch election?

Ofcourse, 'Merica first, Netherlands second!

Also wouldn't be surprised if Baudet is a Russian puppet.

Ah, who cares, another splinter party that won't even get a seat...

 

[dragonelite]

Ugh...really hope PVV doesn't win.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Baudet is a Russian puppet.

Same here, hope not to see a rise in racism if the PVV wins.
Like what happened when Brexit took place and Trumps election.

 

[Scavenger]

A few of those new fringe parties were on Jinek and it was a total cringe fest.

 

[JDB]

A few of those new fringe parties were on Jinek and it was a total cringe fest.

what

 

[Boem]

It hurts my soul that you put Wilders' mug right on the top of that list.

 

[richardhawk]

Would GAF care about a Dutch election?

I'm American and I'm pretty interested. Been following the French election as well. Really hope you guys don't make the same mistake we did and elect a shitbag (Wilders)

 

[Carn82]

Thx for the OT

 

[Pusherman]

I know some people might think the word fascist gets thrown around too easily nowadays but the PVV's platform absolutely fits. It's insane. Banning all mosques and islamic schools. Closing the borders for muslims. Banning the Quran. Preventive incarceration for radical muslims. Outlawing 'expressions of islam' that are at odds with public order. It's like he's baiting us into calling him a Nazi.

 

[Boem]

I know some people might think the word fascist gets thrown around too easily nowadays but the PVV's platform absolutely fits. It's insane. Banning all mosques and islamic schools. Closing the borders for muslims. Banning the Quran. Preventive incarceration for radical muslims. Outlawing 'expressions of islam' that are at odds with public order. It's like he's baiting us into calling him a Nazi.

Oh yeah he knows what he's doing. He's been doing it for years. Even did the whole lawsuit thing when people started comparing him to the nazi's.

In times like this, with people like that, there's no reason to be kind. Just be honest. He's a fascistic white supremacist xenophobic nazi.

Luckily it's not uncommon to have public discussions about whether Trump is a fascist over here, both on television and in print. Hopefully that'll translate to being able to talk about Wilders open and honestly as well. Don't forget, there's no reason to assume we're better or smarter than the UK or the US. There's every chance an insane amount of people is going to vote for that clown. Don't forget about what happened with Geenstijl's referendum - people here are just as sensitive to catchy slogans and easy solutions, without even knowing what's actually being talked about. It's our job to keep hammering on Trump, and keep that comparison with Wilders going. He's even more shameless in his views, which is almost impossible.

I really, really hope our country will show its best side this election. I really need it.

 

[Nokterian]

A few of those new fringe parties were on Jinek and it was a total cringe fest.

Ah yes Jesus lives...

Oh yeah he knows what he's doing. He's been doing it for years. Even did the whole lawsuit thing when people started comparing him to the nazi's.

In times like this, with people like that, there's no reason to be kind. Just be honest. He's a fascistic white supremacist xenophobic nazi.

Luckily it's not uncommon to have public discussions about whether Trump is a fascist over here, both on television and in print. Hopefully that'll translate to being able to talk about Wilders open and honestly as well. Don't forget, there's no reason to assume we're better or smarter than the UK or the US. There's every chance an insane amount of people is going to vote for that clown. Don't forget about what happened with Geenstijl's referendum - people here are just as sensitive to catchy slogans and easy solutions, without even knowing what's actually being talked about. It's our job to keep hammering on Trump, and keep that comparison with Wilders going. He's even more shameless in his views, which is almost impossible.

I really, really hope our country will show its best side this election. I really need it.

Yes Wilders is a fascist,racist,xenophobic everything i hate and it must be said and the last case that he was guilty of and saying the judges are baffoons and also saying it will keep doing what i am doing. That undermines the democracy and the legal state. He is guilty of his actions a few years ago but he was not punished harder. Like i said this is a legal state when you are guilty you must comply.

If you would say to a police officer saying i will not pay that fine and do what i want, that doesn't work either does it? Wilders is dangerous to our democracy.

If you want new democracy vote pirate!

 

[Nyx]

I have one friend that 'moved to the dark side' and will vote for Wilders. When I asked why he said 'I don't want them ISIS fellas over here'

I told him no party wants that, but he won't budge. Shame really.

 

[Boozeroony]

Would GAF care about a Dutch election?

In the current global political climate this election and with Wilders high in the polls, I'd say 'yes'.

Could be another nail in the coffin of the EU.

 

[Spiral Insanity]

I have one friend that 'moved to the dark side' and will vote for Wilders. When I asked why he said 'I don't want them ISIS fellas over here'

I told him no party wants that, but he won't budge. Shame really.

Nice friend.

 

[norinrad]

Ugh...really hope PVV doesn't win.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Baudet is a Russian puppet.

You should be welcoming bigots and trying to understand their point of view. It's the only way we can change them when we listen. Hehehe

 

[Nokterian]

I have one friend that 'moved to the dark side' and will vote for Wilders. When I asked why he said 'I don't want them ISIS fellas over here'

I told him no party wants that, but he won't budge. Shame really.

That is the biggest problem with people, they don't think of them self or another..not even for there own future or the future of there children. That is the manipulation wilders does..it is fueling them..

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Thanks for making the thread was waiting on it could you post this in the OP so that people h ave a general idea of what parties stand for and why:

 

[Fritz]

Go Niederlande!


I mean go voting

 

[Mimosa97]

Wow so basically Wilders is way worse than Marine Le Pen ?

It's weird that the anti-muslim sentiment seems even worse in the Netherlands than in France. Like MLP will probably do the same score (between 25 and 30%) but she would be nowhere near that if she went full fascist.

I don't even want to imagine how even more popular wilders would be if the netherlands were hit by the same kind of terrorist attacks than us. Dude would probably be at 50%. Sigh.

 

[Nokterian]

Thanks for making the thread was waiting on it could you post this in the OP so that people h ave a general idea of what parties stand for and why:

You need to change a former fetish model, clearly this is not nice and when u just educate yourself she is working as privacy adviser for a few years now.

 

[Nyx]

Wow so basically Wilders is way worse than Marine Le Pen ?

It's weird that the anti-muslim sentiment seems even worse in the Netherlands than in France. Like MLP will probably do the same score (between 25 and 30%) but she would be nowhere near that if she went full fascist.

I don't even want to imagine how even more popular wilders would be if the netherlands were hit by the same kind of terrorist attacks than us. Dude would probably be at 50%. Sigh.

The anti-muslim sentiment is highest in rural areas, where almost none of the Dutch muslims live.

Fear of the unknown, fueled by mass media.

 

[Prophet Steve]

You need to change a former fetish model, clearly this is not nice and when u just educate yourself she is working as privacy adviser for a few years now.

But basically the entire chart is not nice.

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

You need to change a former fetish model, clearly this is not nice and when u just educate yourself she is working as privacy adviser for a few years now.

I did not make this Come on you know me better.

 

[Kabouter]

God this is gonna suck.

Also, in fairness to the SGP, they have had female candidates on the local level in recent years, and they actually took their pro-death penalty and anti-gay marriage stances out of their program for the upcoming elections.

 

[Idde]

You should be welcoming bigots and trying to understand their point of view. It's the only way we can change them when we listen. Hehehe

Well actually...I was talking to a really nice coworker of mine, and Trump came up, and Wilders afterwards. I consider him a friend, so he felt he could talk about how he voted Wilders before. He's hesitant to do that, because people will think he's racist and treat him like shit. He's Phillipine, and we regularly go out with Moroccan and black coworkers. So I told him I was surprised, and asked him why he did it. His response: something has to happen in Dutch politics, and Wilders promises to do something about the infrastructure. And lower the age at which people can retire. I asked him what he thought of when Wilders was sort of part of the coalition with CDA and PVV. Whether he did anything constructive. He got to thinking, that he didn't add anything. I asked him what he thought of what Wilders said about morrocans. My friend didn't really think of that, but mostly saw the good signs in the PVV. But yeah, he probably wasn't go vote Wilders anymore.

I know your remark was a joke. But what you're joking about hopefully gave Wilders one less vote.

 

[Kabouter]

Well actually...I was talking to a really nice coworker of mine, and Trump came up, and Wilders afterwards. I consider him a friend, so he felt he could talk about how he voted Wilders before. He's hesitant to do that, because people will think he's racist and treat him like shit. He's Phillipine, and we regularly go out with Moroccan and black coworkers. So I told him I was surprised, and asked him why he did it. His response: something has to happen in Dutch politics, and Wilders promises to do something about the infrastructure. And lower the age at which people can retire. I asked him what he thought of when Wilders was sort of part of the coalition with CDA and PVV. Whether he did anything constructive. He got to thinking, that he didn't add anything. I asked him what he thought of what Wilders said about morrocans. My friend didn't really think of that, but mostly saw the good signs. But yeah, he probably wasn't go vote Wilders anymore. I know your remark was a joke. But what you're joking about hopefully gave Wilders one less vote.

What I never get is that no one properly calls Wilders on how the fuck he thinks he's going to pay for all his crazy plans. He wants to spend more on healthcare, more on care for the elderly, lower the retirement age, leave the EU,spend more on infrastructure and on top of that massively cut taxes? Where the hell is he going to get the money from? Cutting a few subsidies and foreign aid isn't going to pay for even a fraction of the extra expenditures he wants to do and the government revenue he's axing.

 

[Idde]

What I never get is that no one properly calls Wilders on how the fuck he thinks he's going to pay for all his crazy plans. He wants to spend more on healthcare, more on care for the elderly, lower the retirement age, leave the EU,spend more on infrastructure and on top of that massively cut taxes? Where the hell is he going to get the money from? Cutting a few subsidies and foreign aid isn't going to pay for even a fraction of the extra expenditures he wants to do and the government revenue he's axing.

Did you read this perhaps? De correspondent is perhaps one of the media that has a thought out, critical response to everything Wilders. In my left, liberal mind at least.

https://decorrespondent.nl/5212/bes...tijprogramma-te-realiseren/133583560-c08f3e01

And I'm guessing it's the same as what happened with Trump. If you shout loudly enough, and about stuff people want to hear, they won't care about the counterargument.

 

[Magni]

Really hoping 2017 will be better than 2016 when it comes to elections in the West. The world needs the EU to survive, considering the direction the US is headed in.

 

[Prophet Steve]

What I never get is that no one properly calls Wilders on how the fuck he thinks he's going to pay for all his crazy plans. He wants to spend more on healthcare, more on care for the elderly, lower the retirement age, leave the EU,spend more on infrastructure and on top of that massively cut taxes? Where the hell is he going to get the money from? Cutting a few subsidies and foreign aid isn't going to pay for even a fraction of the extra expenditures he wants to do and the government revenue he's axing.

Well for political parties the right place would be the debates that are still coming. I think most people can't really present it as a strong argument against supporters because they don't have a clue what figures are involved.

The PVV has put down a list of what they save and what they'll need to pay. Supporters will take that as legit and won't pay too much attention to it.

The supporters probably also won't really look at columns or debates anyway, where there would be well-supported arguments.

 

[CrunchyB]

But basically the entire chart is not nice.

I think the chart is funny and mostly true, but I've tried to be impartial in the Op, at least as far as the major parties are concerned.
It should still get enough exposure on the first page, it doesn't need to be in the OP.

Similarly, I was tempted to put this picture of Wilders up there:

..but decided not to.

 

[Prophet Steve]

I think the chart is funny and mostly true, but I've tried to be impartial in the Op, at least as far as the major parties are concerned.
It should still get enough exposure on the first page, it doesn't need to be in the OP.

Similarly, I was tempted to put this picture of Wilders up there:

..but decided not to.

Oh yes, I didn't know he wanted to put it in the OP. Yeah, that seems like a bad idea. Although I suppose it is mostly impartial in that it is ranting on most parties.

 

[Nokterian]

What I never get is that no one properly calls Wilders on how the fuck he thinks he's going to pay for all his crazy plans. He wants to spend more on healthcare, more on care for the elderly, lower the retirement age, leave the EU,spend more on infrastructure and on top of that massively cut taxes? Where the hell is he going to get the money from? Cutting a few subsidies and foreign aid isn't going to pay for even a fraction of the extra expenditures he wants to do and the government revenue he's axing.

And people do not see it that this is his 'plan' but not a solution to help everyone in the netherlands.

 

[Xe4]

Wilders likely getting the most votes is so disgusting. Good luck Dutch-GAF, and I hope you guys get someone good as your PM...

 

[RSP]

I've voted VVD twice now, and though things have become quite a bit better for my situation personally (Income tax reductions, Mortage tax break being maintained and higher compensation for daycare to name a few), I would have liked to see a reform of regulation for small businesses.

At the moment, you're considered a small business if you employ anywhere from 1 to 250 employees. I employ a total of 30 people over two companies at the moment. I would like to see more lenient tax regulation when it comes to VPB, Werkgeverslasten and Loonheffing.

People should be encouraged to start a company, or register as a ZZP'er. This is a great way to allow more people to work, take charge of their life and eventually start generating more jobs.

At the moment I can't think of a party that has plans to improve the situation for small businesses or people looking to start their own business, not even the VVD.

 

[Nokterian]

I've voted VVD twice now, and though things have become quite a bit better for my situation personally (Income tax reductions, Mortage tax break being maintained and higher compensation for daycare to name a few), I would have liked to see a reform of regulation for small businesses.

At the moment, you're considered a small business if you employ anywhere from 1 to 250 employees. I employ a total of 30 people over two companies at the moment. I would like to see more lenient tax regulation when it comes to VPB, Werkgeverslasten and Loonheffing.

People should be encouraged to start a company, or register as a ZZP'er. This is a great way to allow more people to work, take charge of their life and eventually start generating more jobs.

At the moment I can't think of a party that has plans to improve the situation for small businesses or people looking to start their own business, not even the VVD.

I encourage you to read our program, you will be surprised. Also we are a not a one issue party nor left or right, we are progressive. Old politics needs to go away and make a road for new democracy.

https://programma.piratenpartij.nl/

 

[-Plasma Reus-]

Wow so basically Wilders is way worse than Marine Le Pen ?

It's weird that the anti-muslim sentiment seems even worse in the Netherlands than in France. Like MLP will probably do the same score (between 25 and 30%) but she would be nowhere near that if she went full fascist.

I don't even want to imagine how even more popular wilders would be if the netherlands were hit by the same kind of terrorist attacks than us. Dude would probably be at 50%. Sigh.

I have noticed the countries with the least amount of terrorist attacks, have political parties that leech on to the tragedy of countries that have had attacks, and use them to justify their hatred.

The same thing with regions WITHIN countries. The regions where there are the fewest minorities, is where their hatred is the most.

Germany and France will never have fascists at the helm despite the attacks on their soil.

Every person who votes for Wilders and his ilk in any other country has no intelligence and has no respect for fellow human beings.
They so desperately want to oppress others, that they leech off of the tragedy of other countries.

 

[Forsythia]

I encourage you to read our program, you will be surprised. Also we are a not a one issue party nor left or right, we are progressive. Old politics needs to go away and make a road for new democracy.

https://programma.piratenpartij.nl/

Thanks for sharing the link. Never really looked at the program of the Piratenpartij, but it looks pretty good. I guess I've been stuck with the same old parties the last decade, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Maybe it's time to change that this election.

 

[RSP]

I encourage you to read our program, you will be surprised. Also we are a not a one issue party nor left or right, we are progressive. Old politics needs to go away and make a road for new democracy.

https://programma.piratenpartij.nl/

I will! Though a minor (but real) concern is also a strategic vote. With most parties ruling out a PVV coalition, a weaker VVD would mean seeing a PvdA / GL / SP or D66 coalition. I'm not really looking to that since it will most likely hurt me personally and business-wise.

Also, have you considered that the name "Piratenpartij" could prevent a more general audience from voting for you because of a negative association with the word pirate?

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Why does Dutch Trump look like Leonardo DiCaprio playing Max Zorin from A View To A Kill?

 

[Nokterian]

I will! Though a minor (but real) concern is also a strategic vote. With most parties ruling out a PVV coalition, a weaker VVD would mean seeing a PvdA / GL / SP or D66 coalition. I'm not really looking to that since it will most likely hurt me personally and business-wise.

Also, have you considered that the name "Piratenpartij" could prevent a more general audience from voting for you because of a negative association with the word pirate?

Remember Pirate Party is an international movement we are in 40+ country's we have 10 seats in Iceland, we are also in EU Parlement. We are everywhere, the fun thing is when you say pirate party people think different but the name keeps sticking to you and that is good.

Why i am a pirate? Because the way of thinking of politics these days is unfitting and i never was left or right either. That's why i joined the pirate party and that's why i am also on the electoral list for the pirate party.

I am number 30 so if you vote on me, your vote that goes to our front runner.

https://tk2017.piratenpartij.nl/kieslijst/martin-van-vuuren/

 

[Idde]

I have noticed the countries with the least amount of terrorist attacks, have political parties that leech on to the tragedy of countries that have had attacks, and use them to justify their hatred.

The same thing with regions WITHIN countries. The regions where there are the fewest minorities, is where their hatred is the most.

Germany and France will never have fascists at the helm despite the attacks on their soil.

Every person who votes for Wilders and his ilk in any other country has no intelligence and has no respect for fellow human beings.
They so desperately want to oppress others, that they leech off of the tragedy of other countries.

I vehemently disagree with this. I *know* the guy I talked about earlier doesn't want to oppress others, and that he does have respect for fellow human beings. I'll never vote the same way he did, I was pretty disappointed in him, and I think his vote was completely misguided. But he voted because his parents have a pretty shitty life, and retirement can't come soon enough for them. Is his vote ignorant and misguided, and might it cause a lot of harm? Yes. Is he, like every Wilders/Wilders like voter, the person you described in the bolded? No. And I bet there are a lot of people who vote Wilders because of selfish reasons, without looking at the bigger picture. And of course, theres the biggoted islamophobic scum that should have their voting rights stripped from them. There's them as well.

 

[Harmen]

I know some people might think the word fascist gets thrown around too easily nowadays but the PVV's platform absolutely fits. It's insane. Banning all mosques and islamic schools. Closing the borders for muslims. Banning the Quran. Preventive incarceration for radical muslims. Outlawing 'expressions of islam' that are at odds with public order. It's like he's baiting us into calling him a Nazi.

He will need to change the ground laws to achieve a couple of those things. Changing that would require the usual majority vote in both chambers, then reelections, and then a 2/3 majority in both chambers.

Unless our nation really became insane, there is no way that happens.

 

[Kabouter]

Thanks for sharing the link. Never really looked at the program of the Piratenpartij, but it looks pretty good. I guess I've been stuck with the same old parties the last decade, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Maybe it's time to change that this election.

I don't get the 'stuck with' sentiment. The Netherlands is one of the most prosperous, safe and happy countries in the world. If the political establishment had done a terrible job, that certainly wouldn't be the case. I have serious issues with the way the media portrays how things are going, and in particular, where things will go in the future. People are incredibly pessimistic about the future, and are frightened into voting for parties that promise to restore a utopian past that never was or an unrealistically prosperous future.