Socialists banter over party leadership

The Socialist Party (SP) chairman Jan Marijnissen must resign, SP's Brabant representative Johan van den Hout told NRC Handelsblad. Van den Hout condemns the "unpleasant way" the party chairman of over 25 years deals with other party members. Marijnissen hinders free debate within the party because he can not stand criticism, van den Hout says. "That man is so authoritarian, it is like being with wild beasts," he says of Marijnissen's behaviour. Van den Hout's call is remarkable since criticizing Marijnissen publicly has been a taboo within the SP, NRC reports. The chairman is still highly influential in the party even though he has not been the party leader since 2008. Van den Hout says he still has an office in the house and he still attends group meetings. The Brabant representative hopes there wwill be a rival candidate for the chairmanship in November.