PVV deserters announce new party details; Name raises eyebrows
Gidi Markuszower and six other lawmakers who split from Geert Wilders’ PVV launched a new political party on Friday called De Nederlandse Alliantie, abbreviated DNA, with former VVD minister Rita Verdonk joining in an advisory and coaching role. The party name has drawn attention for its acronym, which some observers noted could invite wordplay or confusion with the genetic “DNA.”
Markuszower announced the move in the SBS television program “Nieuws van de Dag,” exactly three months after the group left the PVV in January. The splinter lawmakers cited dissatisfaction with Wilders’ one-sided campaign style, the lack of internal discussion, the PVV’s refusal to allow members, and its decision not to cooperate with other right-wing parties.
“We tried to start a discussion, but that proved not possible,” Markuszower said at the time of the split. The seven wanted talks about the PVV’s losses in the last Tweede Kamer election and the party’s subsequent poor polling, but Wilders rejected the idea.
“I am also very proud to share that former minister Rita Verdonk has joined us,” Markuszower said. Verdonk, who left politics a year ago, saying she had had enough of meetings and debates, will primarily coach and offer advice to the new party.
De Nederlandse Alliantie plans to take part in the next provincial elections. In contrast to the PVV, anyone can become a member.
The party wants “a grip on who enters the country” through tighter control of immigration and borders. It also aims to tackle all problems Dutch people face daily, such as purchasing power and lower burdens for citizens.
Markuszower said the PVV had been “very good at naming things, but now it is time to solve those things.” He added that the new party wants to be one that “not only names problems but also solves them.”
It is not yet known who will serve as party leader. Markuszower currently leads Groep Markuszower in the Tweede Kamer but said he has no ambition to head the new party.
He did not rule out talks with Mona Keijzer, who recently split from the BBB. “She knows that we are open to working with her to make the Netherlands a success again,” he said. Markuszower had earlier considered naming the party the Nederlandse Vrijheids Alliantie, or NVA.
