International

“Totally a-social" was SP number one candidate Dennis de Jong's description of the statement on labour migration by Wim van de Camp of the Christian Democrat CDA. Van de Camp's statement came during a debate between leading candidates which took place last Thursday in Leiden. Van de Camp described himself as "hesitant" about labour migration, but had no problem in wanting to attract workers in cases where firms had need of them. De Jong replied that "We bring people here when we need them, but treat developing countries badly by dumping our food surpluses on them." This policy, he said, leads to ruinous competition for farmers in Africa.

Dockers want less Brussels and, what's more, they have seen their wish come true. Mass, sustained resistance to the liberalisation of dock work led in 2006 to the European Parliament voting down the EU's neoliberal Ports Services Directive – a victory for the SP, the dockworkers and the labour movement.

Half of the EU budget could be scrapped if no more money were spent on agriculture or on regional development in rich member states and if development cooperation returned to being organised nationally. These are some of the points in an economy plan presented today by SP lead candidate Dennis de Jong. "The Netherlands' contribution to the EU could in this way be reduced by €2.5 billion per year," says De Jong.

SP number one candidate Dennis de Jong took up window-cleaning, running his chamois leather over the windows of the building occupied by the representatives of the European Commission in the Netherlands. Dennis's new job was meant as a symbol of the need for more transparency in Brussels. "It makes it impossible for journalists and the public to keep an eye on what is going on there when procedures are so difficult and so expensive that only major corporations can access information," says De Jong. "Even voting figures in the European Parliament aren't always accessible, so you can have difficulty finding out how Dutch MEPs have voted." In contrast to the system in the Netherlands, members of the public must ask for a specific document in order to find information.

Right-wing Dutch premier Jan-Peter Balkenende does not rule out making himself available to become Europe's first president. This was the less-than-exciting news which emerged from an interview on television's KRO-reporter yesterday evening. His statement paved the way for a premature departure from the government, which would be possible if the Irish people change their minds and vote 'yes' to the Lisbon Treaty in a new referendum. As things stand, the office of President of Europe remains on hold.

Candidate Nicole van Gemert led a demonstration last Saturday which offered a vivid representation of the placing in the hands of the market of public services and public property under pressure from Brussels. In Utrecht, shoppers were confronted by a mysterious and besuited man who claimed to have bought part of the public footpath on the Oudegracht ('Old Canal'), in the heart of the city's picturesque centre. The 'suit' said that he had bought the section of the path, which he had cordoned off with ribbons, through Brussels estate agents (realtors). “Europe says that all public property must be sold off, because the market is the solution to all problems," the man called out as he carried a 'Sold' sign around his property. Passers-by took the trouble to go around the cordoned-off section, as the new owner let them know that they would soon have to pay to cross it. "I can do whatever I like, because what was public property is now my property," the proud new owner of a bit of the Oudegracht told them.

Candidates of the SP, Labour Party (PvdA), Green Left and the Animals' Party (PvdD) will, if and when they are elected Members of the European Parliament, refuse to meet with lobbyists who have failed to register. SP number one candidate Dennis de Jong asked his counterparts from the eight biggest Dutch parties if they would simply sign a declaration to that effect. Every one of the right-wing and centre-right parties refused to do so.

Today butchers, greengrocers, poulterers, bakers and fishmongers joined the SP in Rotterdam in a protest against the impossible regulations imposed by Brussels. With SP number one candidate Dennis de Jong in attendance, they were there to inform shoppers about just how senseless the rules are. Delicacies were handed out, each labelled in conformity with the absurd rules which the European Union wants to introduce.

Heated debates are a feature of election campaigns, and Jessica van Ruitenburg, number six on the SP list for the European elections, made a flying start in Rotterdam last Friday when she took part in two of them, back-to-back. Each, however, had very much its own character....