Baudet calls attack the result of "demonization campaign"; Dutch politicians denounce it

FvD leader Thierry Baudet called the attack on him at the entrance to Ghent University “the result of a huge demonization campaign.” An unknown man hit the far-right Dutch politician on the head with an umbrella shortly before Baudet was to give a lecture on Thursday evening. The man was arrested, and the lecture started a few minutes late, NOS reports.

After the lecture, Baudet said that he was doing well under the circumstances. “I was able to give my lecture after drinking a glass of water. But it is, of course, miserable that this happened.” Baudet said he had “quite a bump” on his head. “I’m going to have that checked.”

“It is, of course, the result of a huge demonization campaign,” Baudet said. “We have a peaceful message. We want certain things to be different in terms of policy. And it is so important that we continue to have discussions in a normal way.”

Other Dutch politicians denounced the attack on the FvD leader. Party leaders Rob Jetten (D66), Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA), and Dilan Yesilgoz (VVD), among others, all called it “unacceptable” and said that violence is not the answer, responding on social media.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that people who attack politicians do “great damage” to free speech, BNR reports. “It’s unacceptable. Stay away from politicians,” Rutte said after a meeting with European government leaders in Brussels over the situation in the Middle East. Rutte said he sent Baudet a message to wish him “all the best” and hoped that the “physical suffering” wasn’t too bad.

Tweede Kamer president Vera Bergkamp wished Bauded and the FvD strength after the attack. “Whatever you think or believe, you keep your hands off all our MPs,” Bergkamp said. In her last speech before the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, went on election recess, Bergkamp said that all parliamentarians do their “stinking best” to perform their duties even in times of harassment and intimidation. “It’s not always easy.”