International

What a lot of severe criticisms were made, after all, about the referendum. What, once again, a great deal of scaremongering went on. The usual pundits, such as Trouw columnist Rob de Wijk, who saw the referendum as a danger to our democracy. But serious people too, like the vice-president of the Council of State Piet Hein Donner, who claimed that the referendum was in conflict with the autonomy of Members of Parliament. But you gave us, all the same, your advice.

A large majority of the voters has said 'no' to the European Union’s Association Agreement with the Ukraine, a treaty which must be ratified by all 28 EU member states before it can come into force. Commenting on the result shortly before the final tallies were made, SP leader Emile Roemer said: "It's now clear that the Netherlands has voted en masse against this treaty. Politicians in general and the government in particular cannot ignore this result. The Netherlands' no-vote is good for Ukraine, good for the Netherlands and good for Europe."

SP leader Emile Roemer will this week propose to Parliament that it begins to prepare a parliamentary enquiry into the role played by the Netherlands in the avoidance of taxes by billionaires. "It’s common knowledge that the Netherlands plays an important part in enabling tax constructions. The Panama Papers demonstrate how billionaires are able to avoid paying their taxes the world over as a result of this sort of construction. We must investigate this to the last details and dismantle the Netherlands tax haven and the role it plays."

In 2007, on the initiative of the SP, representatives of modern left parties gathered at De Weverij in Oss to exchange experiences and discuss the dilemmas they each faced in an open atmosphere. In the meantime 2016 has arrived and more parties and party leaders are participating. In the years since that inaugural meeting, moreover, the Norwegians, Danes, Icelanders, Greeks and Cypriots have all gained experience of government.

Foto: SP

On the first day of March the Dutch Senate gave its support to the Whistleblowers' Centre Act, an SP initiative. After ten years of fighting for this, whistleblowers will enjoy protection, and abuses can be investigated. SP Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak described it as an historic day. “People who report abuses need soon no longer be afraid; people who cause abuses will soon no longer get away with it.”

SP leader Emile Roemer spoke in today’s debate with the government of the fate of the victims of the attacks in Brussels. "Our neighbours have been hit," he said. "A blow has been struck against our friends. They are in mourning and with them, we remember." In the debate Roemer pointed once more to the still poor cooperation between security services in Europe and to the need for additional measures to prevent radicalisation in the neighbourhoods. "The threat of an attack will never be wholly removed," he noted. "But we can certainly do more. To defend our constitutional state and our democracy against those who threaten our freedom. Do more – with prevention and a hard approach."

Our neighbours have been hit. A blow has been struck against our friends. Belgians, Dutch people and others are in mourning over the many dead and seriously wounded, And we mourn alongside them. People are full of incomprehension – and full of fear. Many people are asking themselves: are we even safe here in the Netherlands?

On 6th April the Dutch electorate will have the chance to express their views on the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. From the very first day of the campaign a curtain of fog has been drawn around this treaty’s real meaning. In this article I intend to blow this fog of misunderstandings away and argue that Ukraine is better off as a buffer state between the EU and Russia.

SP leader Emile Roemer has reacted with total horror to today’s attacks in Brussels. ‘This violence is appalling,’ he said. ‘Our thoughts are with the victims and their friends and loved ones, We must support Belgium in any way we can and allow our security services and those providing help to do their work.’