The Government’s fallen.
Again.
Our PM has an unfortunate tendency to not manage to carry a coalition government to term, and this is the fourth time he’s slipped before the finishing line. To paraphrase the great Oscar Wilde..”to lose one government may seem like misfortune, but to lose four seems like carelessness..:”
This little country has more political parties than Snow White had dwarves. Which means that coalitions are the only way it can be ruled. Which is why we had this strange governing partnership in the first place: a Labour Party in cahoots with the Centre Right and the Christian Union.
It’s like a political representation of that strange creature from Dr Doolittle - the Push Me Pull You - who had two heads each wanting to go in different directions despite being attached to the same body.
People I’ve talked to here are scared of the possibility this collapse may open for the strangely coiffed right- wing leader Geert Wilders to nudge a larger space for himself on the sofa of power.
The thought of a coalition that could ever include a polarising xenophobic group like Wilders’ Freedom Party chills my brain.
But in the end, I have faith in the Dutch. I don’t think the majority could stand to see such a party in power. I think the Dutch sense of fairness and equality will pull them back from the brink in time.
on Feb 22nd, 2010 at 4:57 am
You need not worry so overtly about the possibility of the extreme right wing party developing a real clout for dominating the political scene in such a tolerant country as Holland- at least that’s the reputation it continues to have here in Australia. But I quite agree with you that coalition government consisting of so many parties pulling in differnt directions will forever remain a fragile alliance of the parties, unless they get inspired by the subtle art of building solid stuctures with the LEGO blocks!
on Feb 23rd, 2010 at 5:57 am
I feel Dheera’s fear about the xenophobic group gaining in power is a genuine concern. As a person who lives in that country her fears are indeed very relevant. But for a person outside the country the concern may be more on the the core point of dispute - on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan. If the Dutch troops withdraw, it may have a adverse effect on the peace and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. Even though the Dutch service personnels’ stay in Afghanistan has been already extended it would be better if they fulfill their commitment which is now due to end in August 2010. The Dutch should show the integrity and courage to meet the commitments they have undertaken in Afghanistan. Let’s hope they will at least complete their committed tenure and return with a feeling of accomplishment. Considering the present political atmosphere, establishing a new government would be rather tough for the Dutch. Dheera’s fears may come true as the right wing Freedom Party could be a big winner in the general election it if happens so!