Bringing Dutch Parliament Elections Closer to You
The past year was a political hurricane, to say the least. England is now making concrete steps to leave the European Union, and we are being confronted with US President Trump’s shenanigans every day again. But buckle up everybody, there is much more to come! Germany, France and the Netherlands also have their elections coming, and we have learned by now that nothing is predictable anymore; facts can be alternative, and that men with big, blonde hairdo’s are not to be underestimated. March the 15th will be the day that all Dutch citizens are invited to bring out their vote for the party that they wish to see represented in Government. However, with 81 officially registered parties to choose from, it can be quite the challenge to figure out who one wants to vote for. Will it be the ‘Party of the Not-Voters’? Will it be the ‘Pirate Party’? Or will it be ‘Jesus Lives’?
No but seriously, each of all these parties wants to stand up for certain rights or priorities that they believe are important for the Dutch society and its future, which we here at UCR are all part of. This made me wonder: What would the election results look like if UCR citizens would vote? We are such a diverse society, with people from all different backgrounds political views and experiences. Let’s find out how our results would compare to the Dutch national election results.
TR is inviting all of you to read the overview below, and to cast your votes anonymously on an online platform on the 15th of March. As of today, you are all Dutch citizens and permitted to vote!
In order for you to vote, there will be a real Voting Booth event on the 13th and 14th of March in the lunch breaks of those days in Elliott, official red pencils included! Make sure to check the Facebook Event ‘I, Voter’ to keep yourself updated on the elections and the parties that you might want to vote for.
In order to get you going, we made a (very) concise summary of the main 10 diverse parties that are all running for a position in the new Dutch Government. See with which one you agree the most!
Gerjanne Hoek, Class of 2018, is a politics and history major from Bunschoten-Spakenburg, the Netherlands.
| Parties | Political Stream | Education | Climate Change | Characteristic | Slogan |
| PvdA | Progressive, Social Democrats | PvdA wants an extensive welfare state in which education, health- and childcare are regulated. For this, the wealthiest people will pay the biggest fee, in order to protect the weaker families in society. | No new nuclear power plants, invest in offshore wind energy. | Focus on entrepreneurship and strive for full employment | A United Society’ |
| PVV | Populist, both conservative, liberal, ‘right’ and ‘left’ standpoints | Wants less bureaucracy, against government grants. | – | Against development aid, get rid of ‘islamisation’ in the Netherlands, stop immigration of non-western immigrants.
|
Make the Netherlands Ours Again.’ |
| SGP | Conservative, Christian Party | A good school teaches from a Biblical perspective. Less government influences, more power to teachers and parents.
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Using nuclear and gas energy is a good remedy against the reducing of coal energy.
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Strongly against abortion, euthanasia. No women allowed in leading functions of the party. | Vote for Life.’ |
| SP | Socialist, Eurosceptical, left wing | Student allowance back, give more power to teachers | Promote sustainable energy, have CO2-neutral society by 2050
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National care fund without coinsurance, AOW age of 65, lower rents | Grab the power.’ |
| VVD | Right wing, Liberal | Improve quality of education of teachers, children should go to school from the age of 4 | Reduce emission CO2, only use modern nuclear energy, become less dependable on fossil fuel | Improve education, good healthcare system | A Confident Netherlands.’ |
| D66 | More left winged, but also shares right wing standpoints, progressive | Thinks that education is one of the cornerstones of society. Wants to actively invest in education as well as studying. Believes that studying and good education should be attainable for everyone. | Reduce CO2 emissions by closing down coal plants, public transportation on green energy before 2025. Make driving electric more attainable.
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More people have to work, invest in good, more personal education and healthcare for elderly, be there for the vulnerable people in society.
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“Good work, good healthcare, good education, D66 gets it done.” |
| CDA | Right wing, conservative
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The quality of the education (system) must be improved. Want to promote studying and bring back ‘Basis beurs’ – (student grant) | Recognizes the problem, however no active involvement in fighting climate change. | Stronger community with emphasis on (traditional) values and traditions. | “Good for each other” |
| ChristenUnie | Both right and left wing standpoints, Conservative
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Wants to invest in education, more teachers, more possibilities and less pressure. Wants to make studying more affordable. | Wants to move in one generation to a totally renewable energy system. Limiting emissions by excise duty.
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Focus on belief in society. Make life better for families and elderly. | “Give faith a voice” |
| GroenLinks | Left wing, progressive | Wants to get rid of education based on religion. Creating equal opportunities for everyone. | Much emphasis on climate change. Move toward total renewable energy fast. Making a climate law to make climate goals into legislation | Shared wealth, society must be there for eachother. | “Looking forward to the future” |
| Partij voor de Dieren | Left wing, progressive | Student allowance back, durable education | Close coal and nuclear power plants, sustainable energy only, introduce climate law | Keep the earth livable, serves both the interests of humans and animals | Plan B: hold on to your ideals
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