Farmers are objecting to the plan which it is forecast would reduce their number by over 11,000 and force another 17,600 to cut their herd size. Spokesperson for the Farmer’s Defence force, Sieta Van Keimpema, has bluntly stated that whatever problem exists with regard to emissions built up over more than a century cannot be changed within a few years, and not at the expense of livestock farmers.
Protests, which have so far led to more than 700 arrests, continued over the weekend including a colourful event staged during the Dutch stage of La Vuelta cycle race.
The tensions within government follow an interview given by Christian Democrat leader and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra in which he said that the Netherlands ought to consider extending its 2030 target of reducing CO2 emissions by 50%.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte responded by stating that there was no formal request to the Cabinet to do so. The liberal D66 party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag insisted that the target be adhered to.
Hoekstra’s interview in which he echoed the farmer’s demand to be able to make a “fair living,” along with his call for a reduction in the numbers of migrants being admitted to the Netherlands and for measures to be taken to address the cost of living crisis, reflect tensions within the ruling centre right coalition.
In particular Hoekstra’s Christian Democratic Appeal has been under pressure from the Party for Freedom and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). CDA has seen its popularity slip as low as 6% compared to 9.5% in the general election, while Geert Wilders’ party has been polling recently as high as 18% compared to the 10.8% it received in the 2021 general election.
While Wilders’ has clearly picked up substantial support from people opposed to the generally left liberal approach of the coalition, the major beneficiaries have been the BBB which took just 1% in the general election of March 26, 2021 but which polled at just 2% behind Prime Minister Rutte’s PVV with 19% in a poll taken on August 7.
Another right wing party, JA21, which opposes mass immigration and radical climate change policy, has seen its support in the polls jump from 2.4% to 8% in the same poll. Were those findings to translate into seats a general election held now would return a radical government of the right. Little wonder then that news from the Netherlands is little reported in the rest of Europe.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte responded by stating that there was no formal request to the Cabinet to do so. The liberal D66 party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag insisted that the target be adhered to.
Hoekstra’s interview in which he echoed the farmer’s demand to be able to make a “fair living,” along with his call for a reduction in the numbers of migrants being admitted to the Netherlands and for measures to be taken to address the cost of living crisis, reflect tensions within the ruling centre right coalition.
 |
| Netherlands Protest |
In particular Hoekstra’s Christian Democratic Appeal has been under pressure from the Party for Freedom and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). CDA has seen its popularity slip as low as 6% compared to 9.5% in the general election, while Geert Wilders’ party has been polling recently as high as 18% compared to the 10.8% it received in the 2021 general election.
While Wilders’ has clearly picked up substantial support from people opposed to the generally left liberal approach of the coalition, the major beneficiaries have been the BBB which took just 1% in the general election of March 26, 2021 but which polled at just 2% behind Prime Minister Rutte’s PVV with 19% in a poll taken on August 7.
Another right wing party, JA21, which opposes mass immigration and radical climate change policy, has seen its support in the polls jump from 2.4% to 8% in the same poll. Were those findings to translate into seats a general election held now would return a radical government of the right. Little wonder then that news from the Netherlands is little reported in the rest of Europe.
 |
| Matt Treacy has published a number of books including histories of the Republican Movement and of the Communist Party of Ireland. |
No comments