GL-PvdA wants gov't to say politicians fuel extremism; Wilders won't moderate tone
In the parliamentary debate on the violent riots at an anti-asylum demonstration in The Hague, right-wing parties denied that they were fueling far-right extremism with their statements, while left-wing parties called for them to take responsibility.
GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans wants the caretaker Cabinet to outright state that statements in parliament “that scapegoat people and label them” fuel right-wing extremism. PVV leader Geert Wilders refused to moderate his tone, saying that he is only accountable to the voters, not to the anti-terrorism agency NCTV, NOS reports. DENK leader Stephan van Baarle announced a motion of no confidence against the Justice Minister.
CDA leader Henri Bontenbal cited a report by the NCTV that pointed to politicians’ influence on out-of-control protests at city council meetings on asylum shelters. “Does Mr. Wilders also see any responsibility here?” In addition to years of anti-asylum, anti-immigration, and anti-Islam rhetoric, Wilders also attended such protests earlier this year.
Wilders said that he is not accountable to the NCTV, but to his own voters. “The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism does not dictate my tone,” Wilders said. “Get rid of your NCTV booklet. You’re all letting down voters.” Bontenbal took from that that Wilders “doesn’t want to take responsibility.”
D66 leader Rob Jetten said that Wilders’ words contribute to a breeding ground for violence. “For years, you have stoked and incited people’s fear at home.” Wilders calls journalists scum, questions judges, and allows his ministers to preach conspiracy theories of population replacement. “You are spreading poison through society.”
Wilders responded that it was yell at Wilders day and asked the other parties to stop linking him to the violence.
In addition to Wilders and his far-right PVV, the VVD also took criticism, including from the D66, PvdD, Volt, and DENK. According to these parties, the VVD partly fueled polarization by aligning itself with the PVV and not always acting on polarizing statements.
DENK leader Van Baarle called the VVD hypocritical in which violent incidents it responds to. After the Macabbi Tel Aviv riots in Amsterdam, the party accused young people from ethnic minorities of failing to integrate. Now that Nazis and right-wing extremists are involved, the VVD is very cautious to make any accusations, Van Baarle said. “Should the Nazis who perpetrated last weekend’s violence also surrender their passports and leave?” he asked the MPs. “Back then, they were harsh on young people of ethnic minorities, and now they’re being lenient with the Nazis.”
Van Baarle also announced a motion of no confidence against caretaker Justice Minister Foort van Oosten (VVD). He failed to call out far-right rioters despite the NCTV warning that not doing so would normalize this right-wing extremism. “After 80 years, open fascists were once again walking through our streets. A public outburst of violence by the far right and Nazis,” Van Baarle said. “But the Minister didn’t want to call it that. He is therefore unfit.”
The D66 believes the VVD is turning a blind eye when it comes to the PVV’s role in this violence. “Ms. Yeşilgöz hasn’t said a word about what Mr. Wilders is saying. Where is the VVD’s role here?” Jetten asked.
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz responded that she doesn’t “share Mr. Jetten’s obsession with Mr. Wilders.” She also accused the left-wing parties of hardening the tone of the debate.
Timmermans wants the caretaker Cabinet to present a plan to combat right-wing extremism. NSC leader Eddy van Hijum also believes that the approach needs to be strengthened, saying the current approach is too fragmented and places too much responsibility on municipalities. The CDA and VVD proposed a package of measures, including increasing the police’s resources.
