New Party Leaders Bring Changes to Dutch Election Campaigns
The Dutch election campaigns have been set in motion with the introduction of two new party leaders: Dylan Jesselgoz of the VVD and Henri Bontenbal of the CDA. This Super Saturday marked the start of their efforts to rally supporters ahead of the crucial November 22nd election.
The VVD, after enjoying 17 years of Mark Rutte’s leadership, is experiencing a changing of the guard. The party aims to prevent a collapse that often occurs when a prime minister leaves office. Jesselgoz presented a distinctly liberal narrative but also distanced herself somewhat from her predecessor’s policies.
Acknowledging past government shortcomings, Jesselgoz stated, For too long, we have been oblivious to what has gone wrong. We need to pay more attention to people’s daily concerns. While she argued that many compromises have been made in areas such as asylum and migration, she did not elaborate on her specific approach to address these issues.
Despite the critique, Jesselgoz praised Rutte, acknowledging his unwavering presence during turbulent times by stating, While the world was stormy, he was always there. The Netherlands owes you a lot. Her words were followed by a standing ovation for the outgoing party leader.
On the other hand, Bontenbal of the CDA highlighted that the party’s new story is essentially the old story of a society where individuals care for one another and treat each other with decency. He admitted that in recent years, the CDA had become too aligned with globalization and individualism, and now aims to refocus on its core principles.
The Socialist Party, led by Liliane Marinissen, is grappling with poor opinion polls and the looming possibility of another electoral defeat. Despite the party’s traditionally strong focus on social security, Marinissen criticized other parties’ sudden interest in the topic. Drawing a football analogy, she remarked, When I hear Jesselgoz talk about social security, it’s a bit like Sajak Swart hand in hand, comrades, implying that their concern is insincere.
Marinissen questioned the other parties, asking, Where have you been in recent years? When we were actually calling for raising the minimum wage and putting a cap on rents. She believes it is the Socialist Party’s responsibility to prevent other parties’ promises from becoming empty like those of the so-called new administrative culture.
Van der Plas, the leader of the Dutch political party BBB, vowed to make a statement on November 22nd. She declared, Just laugh at us. Just laugh at our movement. We will laugh on November 22. Van der Plas revealed that her party’s manifesto will not be calculated by the Central Planning Office, unlike many other parties. She criticized the CPB’s approach, arguing that they focus solely on the cost of proposals rather than their potential benefits to society.
Laurence Dassin, leader of Volt, believes it is high time for radical change and tackling flawed systems. Dassin advocates for a range of reforms, including a federal Europe, European armed forces, and greater participation through citizens’ assemblies. Additionally, Dassin calls for a major financial cleanse that would eliminate not just surcharges but all discounts, rebates, and premiums. These would be replaced by a single basic allowance, serving as a stepping stone towards a universal basic income for all.
As the Dutch election campaigns gain momentum, the new party leaders bring fresh perspectives and chart new directions for their respective parties. With a diverse range of aims and promises, the November 22nd election is sure to shape the future of Dutch politics.
