Politics and Elections in the Netherlands: coalition agreement presented

[Beezer]

PVV in first place according to latest poll:

[Beezer]

PVV with a huge jump in a single month...the migrant crisis is really reshaping European party systems:



http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/24572538/__PVV_wint_opnieuw_zetels_in_peiling__.html?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=twitterfeed

[Beezer]

It is caused by SP voters switching to the PVV.

I assume that's because SP voters don't care much for the parties (presumedly) pro-refugee stance? I think in Germany the Left Party could eventually also face some problems in the east if the AfD establishes itself as a viable force because of the former's position on immigration and the increasing salience of the topic vis-à-vis economics.

[Beezer]

In response to the unfortunate events in Cologne, Geert Wilders seeks to legalize pepper spray in order for women to be able to defend themselves against, as Wilders likes to call them, "Middle Eastern testosterone bombs". In order to raise awareness for his plans (and to get attention...), he will organize an event in Spijkenisse (a rather depressing "white flight" working-class suburb of Rotterdam where the PVV performs extremely well) where he will distribute what he calls "resistance spray"; apparently there is a spray containing coloring agents that is currently legal and is a (weaker) substitute for real pepper spray. Of course, this is sure to cause more controversy, and people will be outraged, and Wilders will get attention and go up in the polls.

I myself find the wording "resistance spray" to be rather unfortunate (since it contains a WWII connotation that is definitely intentional), but that is just my opinion.

Wilders handing out some of his resistance spray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X098EZiXfqc

[Beezer]

So am I. Thanks for the insights. Is there any life in a possible Nexit campaign?

[Beezer]

Rutte says "chances of cooperating with the PVV are zero."

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/01/15/rutte-kans-op-samenwerking-met-pvv-is-nul-a1541314

[Beezer]

[Beezer]

Just priceless...



Feels like a YouTube comments section is now running Turkey.

[Beezer]

Is there a chance of the PVV coming in first in Rotterdam, considering this was Fortuyn's hometown?

[Beezer]

One last attempt at a gift to the PVV by Erdogan?

[Beezer]

So the SGP sometimes supports the government? I always thought they're just standing on the sidelines...

[Beezer]

So I guess Labor voters have all migrated to D66 and GL in recent years?

[Beezer]

In theory CDA+D66+PVDA+GL+SP also have a majority. Very unlikely, but Buma and Pechtold can play that trumpcard in the negotiation with Rutte

A Christian Democratic party and left-wing populists in the same coalition? I know NL is (in)famous for its coalitions but doesn't this seem just a tad far fetched?

[Beezer]

Turnout is higher, so it takes longer to count votes. Makes sense

Or the Russians are still trying to rig the election.

[Beezer]

Yeah, I don't get this move either. Stay on the opposition benches as the main leftist party and rise to second (or perhaps 1st?) place in 2021.