The SP group in the Dutch Senate has doubled its presence in the ‘First Chamber’ from 2 to 4 seats, due to the elections on May 26th. by the members of the 12 provincial parliaments.
Due to the results of the provincial elections on March 11th 2003, the SP now gets 39 seats in 11 provincial parliaments, an increase of 20. This will also result in twice as much seats in the national Senate (from 2 to 4 seats). The new Senate will be elected by the members of the provincial parliaments on May 26th.
On february 15th 2003, the world-wide day of protest against the war against Iraq, tens of thousands protested in the streets of Amsterdam. The SP mobilised thousands of its members to Amsterdam, organizing buses from all over the country.
The SP gained more votes in last elections (january 22nd 2003) then ever: from 5,9 to 6,3 percent. Not enough however to increase the number of seats in parliament (nine since May 2002).
On the 23rd of november 2002 the SP congress discussed the new election program and the proposed list of candidates for the national parliamentary elections, to be held on january 22nd 2003.
