.
Diary Prospects for the 2007 Dutch General elections ◊ by koenzel gives an excellent analysis of Dutch politics, and is highly recommended!
I abhor the bashing of PM Jan Peter Balkenende and the everlasting effort to poke fun of his looks, while politicians on the left are unable to offer alternatives during the debate and discussions in Dutch parliament after the presentation of yearly policies on “Derde Dinsdag” – dutch – in September.
The failures of Wim Kok II (see below) cannot escape judgement to the turn of events leading to the rise of Pim Fortuyn, his success in the Rotterdam municipal elections of March 2002, and his assassination on May 6 just before the National Elections. All parties in Wim Kok II were punished severely by Dutch voters, see data.
The Dutch gave the old governing party CDA Christian Democrats the chance to come forward with an election win in 2002 and a repeat in 2004, when the party of Pim Fortuyn (LPF) imploded as a result of the absence of its charismatic leader Pim Fortuyn. The turmoil within Dutch society and politics gave all parties a chance to renew their party platforms. The Dutch right-wing Liberal Party VVD were willing to particpate in the administration after the coalition with PvdA and its leader Bos failed due to lack of trust between political leadership and its constituents. The murder of columnist and film maker Theo van Gogh shook Dutch society on its very foundation.
Just as starter, more to follow »»
The financial and economic failures exacerbated by former PM Wim Kok in Paars II and Financial Minister Zalm, led to a budget deficit above the European norm of 3%. As the U.S. and Europe went into a short recession in 2002, the start of Balkenende I was not in a position to be envied. The policy of cutting government deficit is never appreciated, as in a period of recession administration should be in a financial position to strenghten consumer buying, not restraining it. The jobless rate of 5.5% in The Netherlands is far below the EU average of nearly 10%.
A major failure of PvdA policy and Wim Kok Paars cabinets I & II :: immigration policy, security and safety in cities, moral aspects in society and taking responsibily for government failures, Wim Brongersma issue and Srebrenica massacre.
Some feats of the cabinet of Balkenende I and II are listed below:
- World Bank appointment PvdA leader Ad Melkert
- Close alliance with EU Commission and Barroso
- EU commissioner Neelie Smit Kroes for post of
- Pull-out of Iraq in March 2005 and focus on NATO in Afghanistan
- NATO appointment Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (close personal friend of Jan Peter and also an acquaintance of our family – his wife Jeannine with daughters Stephanie and Caroline)
- Recent visit of Russian President Putin
UN appointments ::
- Jan Pronk as special delegate for Kofi Annan to Darfur and Sudan
- Major Gen. Patrick Cammaert as military UN commander in Congo after overseeing the Ethiopia and Erithrea border conflict
- Ruud Lubbers to position of director UNHCR until early 2005
- The Netherlands maintained its 0.7% GDP standard for annual Development and Aid third world countries. Minister van Ardenne does a great job in support of UN in Darfur, and the recent disasters SE Asia tsunami and Pakistan earthquake.
«« click on pic for info Darfur
The failure of German chancellor Gerhard Schröder to cut government spending and adjust social policies to have a more flexible work force to compete within EU market developments led to his election defeat. The first woman chancellor Angela Merkel from the Christian Democrats CDU/CSU as a result, a strong ally within the EU for Jan Peter Balkenende.
The left wing parties in the Netherlands were more involved in fighting one another than to cooperate on the most simple issues of Dutch politics. The consistent obstruction of cabinet ministers, almost daily forwarding questions in parliament of trivial matters, instead of getting involved in the major policies the Dutch are confronted with. I will wait and see whether some form of Left Party cooperation will succeed to impact the election in 2007. As I have written before, the Dutch elections show a very large swing vote, 30% of electorate. The voter makes his/her decision in the voting booth, making any poll ahead of time worthless. Memory of voter is even shorter than the farsight of politicians.
Major defeat for PM Balkenende
The Populist Deficiency of European Social Democracy
René Cuperus – Wiardi Beckman Foundation (PvdA Research Institute)
A great former PvdA politician and first head of European Central Bank: Wim Duisenberg
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼▼▼ READ MY DIARY
.
I’m probably an advocate of real politik, more centrist in Dutch political spectrum. In U.S. this would be equivalent to the left wing of the Democratic party. The cabinet to run government in The Netherlands will always be formed by a coalition of parties. When party dogmas are involved it will be hard to govern, see the seventies under PM Joop den Uijl – dutch. Most likely he became PM a decade too late, as his party PvdA and the Labor Unions NVV-NKV-CNV did not adjust to changing economic conditions and spend money ill mannered. Under PM Den Uijl the WAO disability coverage was used to dump employees who lost their job and above 55 years of age were difficult to be re-employed.
Some points of concern to Dutch politics —
CPB Macro Economic Outlook
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
You’ll see the VVD moving toward the right to attract many voters who did vote for Pim Fortuyn or will stay at home again and not vote. The position of the LPF in 2002, the same where Geert Wilders and Hirsi Ali are positioning, is an electorate with a potential of 25 seats in Parliament.
Traditionally, the Christian Democrats CDA will stay in the center and it’s easier to gain votes on the left wing of the party, former ARP and some KVP, who would otherwise transgress to Labor of Wouter Bos (PvdA).
The difference for next election could be the first voters, the young people who don’t vote according to tradition and have an idealistic view of society. Much will depend on the state of the national economy, unemployment rate and ability for consumer spending.
Just this evening I understand Minister Zalm has a small extra of €3bn in receivables. Once the economy shows strength and growth above 2.5 %, daily life will be easier for all consumers. Dutch economy is highly dependent on export, especially with Germany, and therefore the Christain Democratic alliance with Chancellor Angela Merkel will benefit both countries.
For a similar economic recovery see the years of Ruud Lubbers in the eighties. Lubbers was very young and still inexperienced as a politician, but today for the CDA voters he is the best post-war Dutch Prime Minister.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
In spectrum of Dutch politics the VVD is clearly to the right of the CDA Christian Democrats and have been positioned there historically. Read — Liberal parties in Europe.
I can agree it’s all relative to Dutch national politics and viewed in the factions of the European Parliament you’ll find strange bedfellows.
PvdA – UK Labor party Tony Blair
CDA – UK Conservatives (David Cameron)
VVD – UK Liberals Charles Kennedy
Dutch EP Elections: Results June 2004
Frits Bolkestein (VVD) and Former EU Commissioner
When you equate party platform and policy, I see Tony Blair more as leader of the Dutch VVD before he would challenge Wouter Bos on issues of the PvdA Socialists.
BBC News – European Election U.K. Result
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
Is one of the most qualified politicians with an excellent track record in the business community on a national and international level. It’s a great post within the EU Commission and friend and foe hailed the strategy followed by PM Jan Peter Balkenende to gain the post for The Netherlands.
A Brighter Commission
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
ELECTION SUMMARY ::
Year 1998 2002 2003
PvdA 45 23 42
VVD 38 24 28
CDA 29 43 44
Coalition talks started in February 2003 between Election winner CDA Jan Peter Balkenende and new Labor leader Wouter Bos who made a great recovery for PvdA with 42 seats in parliament. On the agenda was the likelihood of an Iraq War and whether the Dutch should be part of the U.S. and U.K. coalition. As the present administration was not permitted to force a decision due to their post election status, Jan Peter Balkenende needed to have the 2nd largest party PvdA support for Iraq action.
In an unexpected move, the Dutch supported delivery of Patriot missile systems under NATO treaty to partner Turkey to secure their Southern border from Scud attack coming from Iraq in the event of war and Turkey participating. The U.S. needed to move Armed Forces and heavy material out of Germany through Rotterdam harbor for shipment to either Kuweit or Turkey to form a Northern front to attack Iraq through Kurdish area.
Dutch parliament gave the sitting coalition of CDA, VVD and LPF overwhelming vote to give political support but Dutch forces would NOT participate in the Coalition of the Willing. It was only after the new cabinet was installed with CDA-VVD-D’66 that the United Nations request of Kofi Annan and the Security Council to dispatch a Stabilization Force (SFIR) to the British Southern Sector was honored. Wouter Bos and the PvdA voted FOR the participation of Dutch Forces in Iraq.
Wouter Bos flip-flopThe decision for the final extension up to March 2005, Wouter Bos and the PvdA took the Gerhard U-turn for political gain to vote against this extension. A smaller majority was sufficient nevertheless to honor the U.N. commitment. In December 2004 this cabinet took the decision that the troops had done their task – see my comment/diary – and would definitely leave Iraq. At first the British forces took over in Iraqi province of Al-Muthanna, to be relieved by a new deployment of Australian troops who found the job done by the Dutch as excellent. The Dutch would place focus on Afghanistan where the role of NATO would be enlarged.
There is a definite distinction between the FM Jaap de Hoop Scheffer – more Atlantic in support of Iraq War – and new FM Bot who has a more continental EU view on the decision and moment to call for the Iraq invasion. See FM Bot’s comment on nomination of John Bolton by President Bush early in 2005.
My diary @dKos ::
Dutch Aid to Iraq leads to Fatwa by Ali Sistani
PM Jan Peter Balkenende and Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms at Margraten.
Iraq Coalition Troops
Non-US Forces in Iraq – 16 August 2005
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
Mr. van der Stoel has done excellent reporting on Human Rights abuse during Greece dictatorship Colonel’s Regime and Saddam Hussein’s Stalin dictatorship during the nineties. His UN report is exceptional and of influence to consider Dutch participation in the Coalition of the Willing. The Kurd massacre played a role as well. The PvdA was divided after meeting with Max vd Stoel to formulate policy during coalition talks in March 2003.
● OSCE – Max van der Stoel Award 2005
● Max van der Stoel Raad van State -dutch-
● RISQ – Iraq & International Social Questions
Cross-posted from my diary — @ European Tribune
###
LEAVE Iraq to the Iraqis
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
The Left parties in the Netherlands were challenged by public opinion after the assassination of upcoming politician Pim Fortuyn on May 6, 2002. The refusal by PvdA Interior Minister to provide Fortuyn with adaquate protection led to much anger by the Dutch voter and ultimate devastating defeat for most Leftist parties.
The murderer of Fortuyn came from a Left Animal Activist group, who have partaken through legal procedures the possibilities to prevent ecological damage to wildlife areas and national parks.
There are a number of groups active in the Netherlands, who have escaped capture, conviction and punishment by Justice for acts of harassment, property damage and arson.
In the months leading upto National Election 2002, there was a lot of media expression and attacks on the person Pim Fortuyn that could be considered character assassination. Much has been left untouched, as no one wants to aggravate the tense social structures within Dutch society.
The hours after Fortuyn’s murder, there was fear for populace anger at parliament buildings in The Hague.
It’s astounding that as Senator for the Green Party Groen Links Mr. S. Pormes has been asked by party leadership to step down, after an investigation found suspected ties in the seventies to terror groups and training in Yemen. The seventies saw a lot of unrest in Europe with the Baader Meinhoff gang and in the Netherlands Palestinian & Red Army terror and Moluccan acts of despair.
Carlos the Jackal
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼▼▼ READ MY DIARY
.
Twenty-four hours after her appointment, the new Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel and the new Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to discuss the main issues on the Alliance’s agenda.
Speaking to reporters, Chancellor Merkel said her visit was a sign of the importance Germany attaches to NATO, not only as a military, but also as a political Alliance.
“NATO should be the place where people turn first with member states to discuss political issues of common concern,” she said.
Ms Merkel added that unilateral action was possible only after it was clear that all efforts for a joint Alliance approach failed.
“Only in that way can we see to it that NATO continues to be a political Alliance,” she stressed.
Among other items, the Chancellor and the Secretary General discussed the NATO Summits planned for 2006 and 2008, and the future of NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Secretary General told reporters that he soon hoped to visit Berlin.
This was Ms Merkel’s first foreign trip, 24-hours after her appointment as Chancellor. She first visited Paris, then NATO HQ and was due to visit the European Parliament and Commission.
Chancellor Angela Merkel Meets President Jacques Chirac in Paris
France's President Jacques Chirac poses with GermanChancellor Angela Merkel before talks at the Elysee
Palace in Paris, her first foreign visit.
Pool/Patrick Kovarik/Reuters
Bundeskanzlerin
Related reading on center-right Dutch Government
I’m A Fan of Jan Peter! (Balkenende)
and relationship to NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
Don’t read too much in a particular statement made visiting NATO.
The Grand Coalition agreement will bind Chancellor Merkel to policies of her administration. Merkel has stated in last months, she wants a strong EU with more focus on all countries, not just the alliances with Germany or the U.K. Her position will stregthen the cohesion within the EU, as Schröder, Chirac and Blair tried to push through their major issues without much concern in creating a concensus within the EU.
Much harm was done by neglecting economic reform in Germany and France and having their budget deficit above 3% limit.
Merkel will look for ideological alliances, CDU/CSU is for a strong Atlantic alliance with the U.S., although her stance on Turkey will oppose the position of Blair and Bush. A close economic and ideological ally is the Netherlands, with the Christian Democrats Jan Peter Balkenende leading the cabinet with the VVD right-wing Liberal Conservative party. It wasn’t by accident for FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier to make his first visit with colleague Dutch FM Bernhard Bot on Thursday.
BTW, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was previously Christian Democrat leader in Dutch parliament and FM during cabinets Balkenende I and II. His tenure as chairman of the OSCE in 2003 was very successful and in fact was a sollicitation for the job of NATO Secretary General.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
≈ Cross-posted from Soj’s diary — CIA Secret Jails: Part 8 ≈
THE HAGUE Nov. 24 — When CIA-prisons and detainee abuse in Europe is proven to be true, the Dutch will reconsider their participation in Enduring Freedom by its special forces in Afghanistan.
FM Bernhard Bot made this statement in parliament this morning. The State of the Netherlands has formally requested a clarification from the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague earlier this week. A possible use of Schiphol Airport for the spook transport of prisoners by the CIA has been put forward for answers.
The ‘consequences’ FM Bot referred to, is possible suspension of Dutch Special Forces operation under U.S. Command in Afghanistan. Participation of an extension within NATO to the Afghan province of Uruzgan within the ISAF contingent, may also be at stake.
The Dutch right-wing partner in the coalition, VVD Liberal Conservatives, already criticized the suggestion by VP Dick Cheney to make an exception for torture by the CIA in Iraq or Afghanistan.
For the new ISAF-mission in Uruzgan, the United Kingdom and Canada have committed forces and Dutch troops are following special training assignments in preparation, and Minister of Defense Kamp has been an advocate for Dutch participation.
Minister Bernhard Bot as Foreign Minister has the possibility to veto the commitment when the U.S. cannot provide adequate information and when the peace and security mission of the Dutch forces under ISAF interferes with the military operation Enduring Freedom.
The Dutch cabinet has requested written promises of the Afghan government, that prisoners handed over by the Dutch will be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, will not be tortured during interrogation and cannot receive a death sentence.
IT’S TIME TO CLEAN-UP CONGRESS IN 2006!
LEAVE Iraq to the Iraqis
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
Gordon Thomas, investigative journalist and author of Gideon’s Spies: the Secret History of the Mossad asserts that “high level leaders and operatives of Al Qaida and the Taliban are held there (on Diego Garcia)” and “none are being protected by the Geneva Conventions”.
Thomas claims: “the interrogation techniques used on Diego Garcia are contained in a secret CIA manual on coercive questioning. It contains sections headed ‘Threats and Fear’, ‘Pain’, ‘Narcosis’ and ‘Heightened Suggestibility and Hypnosis’.”
He further suggests “the presence of the prisoners on Diego Garcia is so secret that a counter-terrorism official in Washington said President Bush ‘had informed the CIA he did not want to know where they were’.”
A recent report by Human Rights First entitled “Ending Secret Detentions” cites Diego Garcia as a suspected site for the detention of individuals, including the leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah, Hambali, otherwise known as Riduan Isamuddin.
Thomas suggests that private Lear jets regularly fly into the island with a new batch of prisoners, which, he says, have included Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ramzi Bin Al Shibh and Abu Zubaydah, kidnapped from Pakistan. He says this is done with the knowledge of US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld and often with the approval of the White House.
It seems that the US administration realises the Guantanamo experiment has failed. Rumsfeld has already admitted to “ghost” detainees who don’t show up in any official documents and who have no name. How many of these are being tortured on Paradise Isle, I wonder. According to various reports, others are being held on two US prison ships – the USS Bataan and the USS Peleliu.
Ibrahim Habaci and Arif Ulusam, both Turkish; Saudi citizen Faha al Bahli; Mahmud Sardar Issa from Sudan; and Kenyan national Khalifa Abdi
First there was Camp X-Ray on the American-owned base of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Now there is a Camp Justice in the Indian Ocean on the British- owned island of Diego Garcia, which is leased to the Americans.
Camp Justice is officially a temporary home for US personnel supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, but satellite pictures of the camp show something rather more permanent and on a large scale. The island is home to American B52 and Stealth bombers – and has been home to US support staff and other military services since the early 1970s – but Camp Justice is new.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
.
Plane spotters verified a CIA plane landed and parked at Schiphol-East on November 17 with registration number N505LL. The plane is owned by the American Path Corporation, and according to insiders connected to the CIA.
In 2003 the same plane was spotted in Afghanistan in support of the American Special Forcesoperation.
The Dutch Ministry responsible for all traffic by air, road and river has confirmed this plane departed from Turkey on November 16 and arrived at Schiphol, Amsterdam airport the following day. A day later it departed for a flight to Iceland with further “unknown” destination. Any other information as to the purpose of its landing at Amsterdam airport, was not known by the Ministry. The Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry has never been asked for diplomatic clearance of any flight in Dutch air space.
FM Bernhard Bot made a tough position known to parliament last Thursday, having asked the U.S. State Department for specific information for any flights or activities involving ghost detainees, as was published by the Washington Post recently.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼▼▼ READ MY DIARY