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The grip of Geert Wilders on the government has virtually been eliminated due to the break-up of the agreement between the neo-liberal/conservative VVD, the (also quite neo-liberal/conservative) christian democrat CDA and the so called "freedom party". This has changed the political landscape to quite an extent. However, for the time being I keep this entry on my website — one can never know what will happen during the next elections ...

Evert Wesker, April 26th 2012

Foreigners, give it a thought.

Currently the so called "freedom party", basically a personification of the far right politician Geert Wilders, is supported by approximately 20% of the Dutch population. This is among the highest scores in western Europe, when considering support for far right political groups, and it may even grow further in future.

The so called "freedom party" is hostile towards foreigners, especially muslims and non-whites. It has called for a registration of the Dutch population based on ethnicity. It has also proposed a fine (the so called "kopvoddentax") on waring a headscarf, thus putting people with a muslim faith apart as second rank citizens.

The well known story that The Netherlands are a haven of tolerance can be discarded, thrown onto the scrapheap of history. In 2002 "the veneer came off" when a right wing populist – mr. Pim Fortuyn – made a spectacular win in the elections.

Therefore I want to warn foreigners. Those who consider to visit The Netherlands – as a teacher, as a student, or maybe even as a tourist – may have to reckon with disappointing experiences, so take the above into consideration. It is not a call for a boycott; it is just a warning. Foreigners, give it a thought.

And remember: You don't have to go to The Netherlands. The rest of the world is big enough!

Evert Wesker, June 20th 2010

Postscript December 4th 2010:
Geert Wilders is visiting Israel. He will present his views at a meeting of Hatikva, an extreme right wing political party in this country. The views of Geert Wilders are very similar to this party: Expulsion of all Palestinians from 'Greater Israel'. He views this as 'a part of the war on terror' and 'joining the combat of Israel against "islamofacism" '. He supports ethnic cleansing on a very large scale.

In the mean time many Dutch politicians remain silent towards this. Geert Wilders is still dominating the political agenda to quite an extent, as the present government is 'tolerated' by him. He supports it without being in it. A really "perfect" position – power without accountability ...

Again, keep this in mind when you consider visiting The Netherlands. Definitively when you are non-white and/or muslim. In the latter case also remember how you were treated at Schiphol Airport when entering The Netherlands.

Postscript February 15th 2012:
Geert Wilders has found himself a new enemy: Migrant workers from eastern Europe. He had started a hotline on the internet on "nuisance caused by Eastern Europeans". People are invited to put (anonymously) forwards their griefs/feelings. The website is pervaded with hostility towards these foreigners.

There are real problems: Exploitation of migrant workers by malicious employers, sub-standard housing practices. However, these are hardly addressed by Geert Wilders. He has found himself a new enemy in a really Goebbelsian fashion and is probably scoring quite nicely in the polls.