First victim was the leader of the Socialist Party, Agnes Kant, who resigned - to the dismay of many, who mourn the loss of an adequate and driven politician. The dominant reason for her departure? Her media-image mostly, the disappointing local election results second. Another victim of mediacracy.
Yesterday, minister Eurlings (CDA), whom many expected becoming a serious candidate for Balkenende's successor as party-leader (or prime-minister), announced his retreat from politics. Reason: wanting to spend more time with his family and girlfriend. Babies are now assumed by many.
Yesterday evening came the news of the passing of the founding father of D66, Hans van Mierlo, also known as the Dutch Kennedy in his early years.
He served as minister of foreign affairs in the first Kok government, and was the prime architect of the first coalition which deliberately eschewed the Christian Democrats (CDA) from power. Democracy in the Netherlands would not have been the same without Van Mierlo, in fact, it can be argued that Van Mierlo was a catalyst of a process that is still on-going: an electorate that has gone increasingly adrift. Van Mierlo was still involved with D66, and spoke and advised on regular basis with Pechtold, the popular D66 leader of the moment.
And today, as Oui has blogged here, comes minister of Finances, Wouter Bos (PvdA), who also steps back, in favour of his family.
So. PvdA and SP will head into national elections on June 9 with a new face. CDA sticks to Balkenende, and the party may face internal turmoil later this year with a succession struggle if the elections results are to be disappointing and Balkenende will resign, because I can't imagine Balkenende returning to Parliament. That is, if Balkenende doesn't miraculously performs a phoenix...
Now back to your ordinary Friday blogging.
In all likelihood it will again be another battle between CDA and PvdA, two parties that don't really give the impression they can stand each other at the moment. Wilders has already begun a strategy against PvdA, knowing well that he stands the best chance of a coalition with power besotted CDA.
I won't be surprised if Balkenende will stick as long as CDA becomes the biggest - even if the results will be another loss of seats for the CDA under Balkenende.
CDA lost 3 seats in the 2006 elections, and now has 41 seats. From the top of my head, CDA is now polling 27 seats as the biggest party, but the trend is down. PVV is polling steady at 24 seats - 2 less than the Pim Fortuyn Party in 2002, which I find a useful reference frame.
The 2002 Dutch general election fits this pattern as well, I suggest. Then new Paars leaders Ad Melkert (PvDA, Labour) and Hans Dijkstal (VVD, Liberals) were so good in appearing technocratic and out of touch, especially compared with Pim Fortuyn, it was an art form. How far fetched is it to suspect that high politics is a scam?
it was an art form. How far fetched is it to suspect that high politics is a scam?
yup, they're good, but every so often they slip, and that's when i realise how correct you are.
the most classic example of this was when Kerry lost, there was something so pre-arranged about it, the look in his eyes, done deal... i think they're jamming wih NLP or something too, as i still like the guy!
now O-man...
art form is right. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
