Nieuws van de afdeling

29 May 2009

Raise the blinds on Brussels

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.

27 May 2009

'Time is pressing for NATO's future' says SP Senator Kox

The debate over NATO's future demands greater involvement from the broad public and their political representatives. These were the sentiments expressed by outgoing NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Oslo, where he was saying his farewells to members of the alliance's parliamentary assembly. On behalf of the Dutch delegation in Oslo, SP Senate leader Tiny Kox complimented de Hoop Scheffer on his enthusiasm for popular involvement, but pointed out that in many countries such a debate had still to begin. "Times pressing," Kox pointed out. "Next year there is supposed to be a new strategic concept. I hope that the Dutch government will now begin to take de Hoop Scheffer's call seriously. The SP is ready to debate a new global security architecture."

27 May 2009

Say no to 'President Balkenende'

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.

26 May 2009

Amnesty for soldiers who served in Indonesia: SP has questions for minister

SP Member of Parliament and foreign affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel has asked Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen for his comments on the amnesty granted by the Netherlands to Dutch soldiers who served there during 'policing actions' in the dying days of colonialism. Recent revelations by the television documentary programme 'Netwerk', which made public correspondence which showed that Dutch soldiers were involved in the mass murder of hundreds of civilians, will, the minister has said, not be investigated. To date the government continues to assert that no prosecution is possible because the crime concerned had occurred too long ago.

25 May 2009

SP candidate Nicole van Gemert demonstrates against Brussels' marketing of public property

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.

24 May 2009

Three parties back SP call to shun unregistered lobbyists

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.

International