As a Dutchie living abroad I say well done for explaining the political toxic atmosphere in The Netherlands. Both left and right are evolving more and more to extreme parties. There’s no longer a sane and reasonable middle. The country is sick to the bone, especially after 7 October and the war in Gaza began. Everything has changed especially since then, as it has happened in many Western countries. It’s very disturbing and sad to witness. Thank you for writing this. It’s an ink black nightmare what happened to these women. And Lisa….it’s heartbreaking.
I’m also just back from a few weeks close to Amsterdam. I’m afraid that the upcoming elections will be a disaster. Don’t even know what to vote anymore. But the blindness of the left towards topics like immigration and housing is truly shocking. Unfortunately the right can’t do much and capable people are lacking. It seems to me the country is imprisoned and can’t make any steps forward. Especially obvious to me is that Gaza is absused for getting leftist votes. The left is extremely biased and anti-Israel, not helping the Gazans at all, although they think they can. Besides, within the country ítself there’s lots to deal with, such as immigration, housing and pollution of the environment. But ínstead they are fighting each other over a war 4000 miles away. The obsession with this war says a lot. Let’s see what the October elections bring…
NL is one of the highest at risk from sea rise. You'd think they would focus on that? The proverbial child sticking his finger in the dam would be waiving a Palestinian flag while NL is drowning. Sickening
Yes, right the country will drown in the future..Somehow this never is a topic. At least, the public doesn’t hear about it. It’s a long term issue and politics apparently isn’t on earth for dealing with long term affairs.
Another well writen piece and clear eyed analysis. Thanks Pieter.
Really interested to see where the Netherlands (and Europe at large) will be in the future. The demise of “polderen” is a huge factor. Being ungovernable in a country largely micromanaged by the government doesn’t bode well for the future, while big issues are piling up and left unresolved. New elections won’t solve any of this.
“….and rather fight each other out of the room over a for the Dutch relatively unimportant question: Gaza”
Gaza is the shiny object politicians use to deflect on the real issues affecting the population, in every single western country.
Yes. In every single western democracy.
Gaza is a non-issue in US national politics.
Not just to deflect, but to appease their own Muslim and radicalized left-wing voters.
As a Dutchie living abroad I say well done for explaining the political toxic atmosphere in The Netherlands. Both left and right are evolving more and more to extreme parties. There’s no longer a sane and reasonable middle. The country is sick to the bone, especially after 7 October and the war in Gaza began. Everything has changed especially since then, as it has happened in many Western countries. It’s very disturbing and sad to witness. Thank you for writing this. It’s an ink black nightmare what happened to these women. And Lisa….it’s heartbreaking.
Just visited NL for a few weeks. I think many Dutch don't even realize how bad the situation is.
I’m also just back from a few weeks close to Amsterdam. I’m afraid that the upcoming elections will be a disaster. Don’t even know what to vote anymore. But the blindness of the left towards topics like immigration and housing is truly shocking. Unfortunately the right can’t do much and capable people are lacking. It seems to me the country is imprisoned and can’t make any steps forward. Especially obvious to me is that Gaza is absused for getting leftist votes. The left is extremely biased and anti-Israel, not helping the Gazans at all, although they think they can. Besides, within the country ítself there’s lots to deal with, such as immigration, housing and pollution of the environment. But ínstead they are fighting each other over a war 4000 miles away. The obsession with this war says a lot. Let’s see what the October elections bring…
NL is one of the highest at risk from sea rise. You'd think they would focus on that? The proverbial child sticking his finger in the dam would be waiving a Palestinian flag while NL is drowning. Sickening
Yes, right the country will drown in the future..Somehow this never is a topic. At least, the public doesn’t hear about it. It’s a long term issue and politics apparently isn’t on earth for dealing with long term affairs.
Precies, Eva. Wat een puinhoop.
En dan lees ik net toevallig dit: https://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/hamas-juicht-aftreden-veldkamp-toe-moedige-en-morele-daad/85598917.html Deze voormalige Nederlandse minister Veldkamp wordt geprezen door…jawel, Hamas! Zieker kan niet…
Another well writen piece and clear eyed analysis. Thanks Pieter.
Really interested to see where the Netherlands (and Europe at large) will be in the future. The demise of “polderen” is a huge factor. Being ungovernable in a country largely micromanaged by the government doesn’t bode well for the future, while big issues are piling up and left unresolved. New elections won’t solve any of this.
A Palestina uber ales pathology is sweeping through the west.
... saying that these "individuals" are failing to integrate carries the suggestion they intended to, at some point, try.