Thursday, March 3, 2011

Netherlands: Government missed a majority in the House of Lords

Wilder scored with the requirement to reduce immigration from Islamic countries clearly supported the enemies of Islam Geert Wilder's center-right government of the Netherlands in the provincial elections, a majority in the upper house of Parliament apparently just missed. After counting some 98 percent of the vote came, the ruling right-wing liberals (VVD) and Christian Democrats (CDA) and the associated with them Freedom Party (PVV) by Wilders to 37 of the 75 senator seats in the First Chamber of Parliament.


The started five months ago, the center-right government would take at least 38 seats in the Lords, to implement its political program without compromising can. Were elected on Wednesday that 566 members of all twelve provincial parliaments. You need 23 May on the composition of the important legislation for the Senate in The Hague to decide.

Here are deviations from the respective party line, so that could make up the sediment, the government camp. As the winner is the populist Wilders party. They scored with social commitment and to reduce the demand that immigration from Islamic countries significantly. The PVV first took part in provincial elections.

Wilders said he was "incredibly proud". Strongest power, the VVD, followed by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Social Democratic Labour Party (PvdA). The biggest losers are the ruling Christian Democrats, together with the VVD. They had received in the provincial elections in 2007, nearly a quarter of all votes.

For the first time since 1995, the turnout in regional elections back above the 50 percent mark. Commentators have attributed the return to the significance of the poll for government policy. Final results are expected later Thursday. If they confirm the slight lead in opposition, to govern for the Cabinet Rutte is even harder than before.

The prime minister had warned for this case even before a shutdown of the policies in the Netherlands. From the first chamber, which can, like the House to reject laws or decide to hang an important project from the Cabinet. These include reductions in the social field and for the authorities to the saving of 18 billion € in the state budget and the tightening of immigration policy.

In order to realize its program Rutte government is already in the House, the Second Chamber, instructed their own lack of majority on the help of anti-Islamic populist Wilders. The Social Democratic opposition leader Job Cohen had signed with the promise of assistance, slowing the Cabinet in the First Chamber.

Particularly controversial in recent election campaign debates sought by the government as well as a reduction in social spending required of candidates of the Freedom Party to prohibit the wearing of headscarves as an Islamic symbol in public.

No comments:

Post a Comment