Amsterdam mayor sounds alarm over “erosion” of democratic institutions

The democratic rule of law is under pressure, and it is time to “warn of great danger,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema in Vlaardingen while presenting the Geuzenpenning to her Budapest counterpart, Gergely Karácsony. “We are witnessing populist leaders eroding democratic institutions. For decades, respect for the rule of law was a given. That consensus has vanished, putting us on a slippery slope, and I worry we may slide further.”

The Geuzenpenning honors individuals who fight for freedom and human rights. In January, it was awarded to Karácsony, a leading critic of right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The award takes its name from the Geuzen resistance movement of World War II.

Halsema highlighted several recent developments that worry her. She cited the “abuse of emergency powers,” which even centrist parties considered using to reduce asylum migration, calling it “straight from the autocrat’s handbook.” She also criticized the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, for passing a motion to list Antifa as a terrorist organization, saying, “Antifa is not an organization and poses no terrorist threat. The motion was clearly aimed at silencing critical voices.”

Third, Halsema warned about the “repeated calls to curb the right to protest,” noting that it is a constitutional right and “97 percent of demonstrations are peaceful.”

She stressed the significance of the rule of law, calling it “not a discretionary tool to pick and choose; it governs and constrains everyone, regardless of political beliefs.” According to her, only firm action and principled stances can address this threat.

Halsema commended Karácsony for his “historic act of resistance” in ensuring a Pride march for LGBTQI+ rights took place in Budapest despite a ban from the government and police. “Gergely responded to intimidation and threats with courage,” she said. Halsema herself joined the march and invited Karácsony to be a guest of honor at World Pride this summer.