Politicians outraged by attack on D66 headquarters; Motive still unknown
Dutch politicians responded with outrage and condemnation to a firebomb attack on the D66 political headquarters in The Hague on Wednesday. Multiple Ministers spoke of a “cowardly act,” Hague mayor Jan van Zanen called it “unacceptable,” and parliamentarians from coalition and opposition parties alike reacted with disgust. The motive for the attack is still unknown.
“The attack tonight on the D66 office is a cowardly act,” Interior Minister Pieter Heerma (CDA) wrote on X. “Let it be clear: violence has no place in our democracy. Strength to the D66.”
The attack happened shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Thursday. The perpetrator threw a firework bomb through the D66 headquarters’ letter slot. About 30 people were in the building at the time. No one got hurt. The police arrested a suspect about an hour later.
Minister David van Weel of Justice and Security is outraged. “What possesses you to do this? We do not tolerate threatening and intimidating a political party,” the VVD Minister wrote on X.
“Ugh,” responded VVD Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgoz on X. “How could you even think of doing that! What a cowardly act. Threatening and intimidating a political party (or anyone else) is absolutely unacceptable.”
The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen condemned the attack in his city. “In a democracy, you differ in opinion with words,” he said on social media. “Violence directed at political parties is always unacceptable.” The Mayor said he was in contact with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and D66 parliamentary leader Jan Paternotte.
Parliamentarians are also outraged. “Debate belongs in a democracy, not violence,” said CDA leader Henri Bontenbal. “Best wishes to the colleagues at D66. I hope the police find and punish the perpetrators quickly.”
Party leader Jesse Klaver of GroenLinks-PvdA (soon to be PRO) spoke of “a direct attack on our democracy and the rule of law,” adding that this is the second attack on the D66 party office. Last year, the D66 party headquarters was also the target of vandalism during far-right riots in The Hague. “We cannot tolerate that for a single moment,” said the leader of the largest opposition party.
“What a bunch of bastards,” said ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker. “Democracy is destroyed if you intimidate others with violence. So, you leave a party office alone.”
“An explosion at a party office is likely a targeted attack, not only on that specific party but on our rule of law and democracy,” said MP Gidi Markuszower. “We settle differences of opinion in the Netherlands with words, not with weapons.”
