Nieuws van de afdeling

13 December 2012

Netherlands in top three for hosting malware: SP demands explanation from government

SP Member of Parliament Sharon Gesthuizen is to ask the Minister of Security and Justice to comment on reports that as much as 17% of malware on the Internet is hosted in the Netherlands. ‘The distribution of this malicious software is a big problem and leads to contamination of computers, amongst other things,’ Gesthuizen explains. ‘The fact that the Netherlands is in the top three of countries hosting this malware is extremely serious. That’s why I want the minister to state before the Christmas recess what measures he intends to take against it.’

12 December 2012

Parliament supports SP: Strengthen position of national parliaments in Europe

The Dutch national Parliament in The Hague today voted to support a proposal from SP Member Arnold Merkies to the effect that the position of itself and the other parliaments in the EU’s twenty-seven member states should be strengthened when it comes to European Union decision-making. At the European Council in the next few days far-reaching steps towards a European superstate will be discussed. These proposals do contain plans to strengthen the role of national parliaments, but not for what the Dutch Parliament is calling for.

12 December 2012

De Jong: rejection of liberalisation plan for baggage handling an important victory

The European Parliament today rejected proposals from the European Commission for further liberalisation of baggage handling at airports. Commenting on the proposals’ defeat, SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong said: 'This is an important victory. With this the European Parliament has given a clear signal to the Commission that the outdated liberalisation agenda can no longer rely on the Parliament’s support.'

12 December 2012

De Jong: EU budget increase sends wrong signal

SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong describes the European Parliament vote to endorse the budget increase for 2013 as sending completely the wrong signal. After months of negotiations the governments of the EU member states have reached an agreement on the budget for EU spending for 2013. ‘More spending without improved monitoring, that’s what this budget is all about,’ says De Jong. ‘It’s shameful that it hasn’t got through to the EU’s member state government leaders and the Members of the European Parliament that this is not the time for more spending, but to be economical.’

11 December 2012

Senate urges return to 0.7% development aid

With only the centre-right governing party the VVD and the hard right PVV voting against, the Senate has backed a motion from the SP calling for a return to the international norm for development aid of 0.7% of GDP. Last week Prime Minister Mark Rutte counselled against the resolution, but clearly failed to persuade Senators.

10 December 2012

Interior Minister is poor defender of our democracy

The European Commission wants to intervene extensively in the principles, organisation and finance of political parties in the Netherlands who want to take part in European elections. These controllers of Europe must from now on endorse ‘European values’. Everything and anything is permitted, as long as it’s federalist, as long as it’s neoliberal. Only if a majority in the European Parliament agree that you are European enough will you qualify for a subsidy. Otherwise, no.

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