International

SP leader Jan Marijnissen's insistence on a roll-call vote notwithstanding, the motion to establish a parliamentary enquiry into the Netherlands' involvement in the Iraqi War was rejected by 107 votes to 38. The PvdA (Labour Party), which during its years in opposition argued on numerous occasions, and in the strongest possible terms, for just such an enquiry, voted against. The three governing parties – Christian Democrats (CDA), Labour and the Christian Union – had reached an unwritten agreement during their coalition negotiations that no enquiry would be held.

The Environment Committee of the European Parliament today voted in favour of an extremely critical report from SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard. The report, on the European Commission’s so-called “thematic strategy” for sustainable use of natural resources, was adopted without a single vote against. A number of amendments presented by Ms Liotard herself, aimed at reinforcing her report’s critical stance, had earlier won the support of a majority of her colleagues on the committee and were therefore incorporated into the text.