Dutch politics for outsiders (8)
May. 19th, 2006 05:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gerbieHirsi Ali loses her passport.(bbc world)
One of the most controversial Dutch politicians from the last years got back in the news last week. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, (part 4 in this series) member of right wing VVD, was the subject of a tv-documentary 8 days ago. In the documentary several relatives were interviewed, asylum experts as well. In short people got to know that Hirsi Ali lied about her name (which is Ayaan Magan), about her having fled from a war (she lived in a different country already) and about possible threats. Based on this evidence she gained entrance to the Netherlands first and a Dutch passport later.
This is all history and public knowledge as well, yet nobody had put all the facts together as the documentary did. Major problem after this happened is a Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, also a member of the VVD. She is the symbol of Dutch harshness over the last years. The Netherlands, for centuries a haven for refugees, known for a tolerant society, have turned into one of the most difficult fortresses in Europe. Not many refugees can or even want to come here anymore.
The two main characters together:
Verdonk has more ambitions: she wants to be the political leader of her party in next year’s elections. She wants to send back Antillian youths (Link), refused a passport to Feyenoord football star Kalou (Link) as he failed a test on Dutch language and customs and also transported 18 year old Taida Pasic back to her country, weeks before her final school exams (Link) even though the girl speaks perfect Dutch and has lived here as long as in her native Kosovo. In short: Verdonk appeals to right wing voters who think a multi cultural society is a disaster. She demonstrates that rules are rules, trying to look like a determined politician, hoping to become the Dutch Thatcher next year.
Even in her own party she is not sure of the leadership, with Mark Rutte, a younger and more civilized candidate appealing to the not-so-right-wing-conservatives, as another major contender. With Hirsi Ali exposed as a liar, Verdonk had to do something. Referring to similar cases in the past, she told the Dutch parliament and press that Hirsi Ali couldn’t own a Dutch passport, as there isn’t a person called Hirsi Ali.
In the meantime Hirsi Ali will leave the Netherlands. Hirsi Ali has been offered a job by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative Washington-based think tank (Link). She will still appeal the decision to take her passport. It seems questionable though that she has any future in the Netherlands.
In the mean time Verdonk's future doesn't look as bright. She loses support both inside as outside her own party.
Sources:
Volkskrant
Washington Post
Zembla (documentary)
BBC news
My own memory and interpretation.
One of the most controversial Dutch politicians from the last years got back in the news last week. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, (part 4 in this series) member of right wing VVD, was the subject of a tv-documentary 8 days ago. In the documentary several relatives were interviewed, asylum experts as well. In short people got to know that Hirsi Ali lied about her name (which is Ayaan Magan), about her having fled from a war (she lived in a different country already) and about possible threats. Based on this evidence she gained entrance to the Netherlands first and a Dutch passport later.
This is all history and public knowledge as well, yet nobody had put all the facts together as the documentary did. Major problem after this happened is a Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, also a member of the VVD. She is the symbol of Dutch harshness over the last years. The Netherlands, for centuries a haven for refugees, known for a tolerant society, have turned into one of the most difficult fortresses in Europe. Not many refugees can or even want to come here anymore.
The two main characters together:
Verdonk has more ambitions: she wants to be the political leader of her party in next year’s elections. She wants to send back Antillian youths (Link), refused a passport to Feyenoord football star Kalou (Link) as he failed a test on Dutch language and customs and also transported 18 year old Taida Pasic back to her country, weeks before her final school exams (Link) even though the girl speaks perfect Dutch and has lived here as long as in her native Kosovo. In short: Verdonk appeals to right wing voters who think a multi cultural society is a disaster. She demonstrates that rules are rules, trying to look like a determined politician, hoping to become the Dutch Thatcher next year.
Even in her own party she is not sure of the leadership, with Mark Rutte, a younger and more civilized candidate appealing to the not-so-right-wing-conservatives, as another major contender. With Hirsi Ali exposed as a liar, Verdonk had to do something. Referring to similar cases in the past, she told the Dutch parliament and press that Hirsi Ali couldn’t own a Dutch passport, as there isn’t a person called Hirsi Ali.
In the meantime Hirsi Ali will leave the Netherlands. Hirsi Ali has been offered a job by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative Washington-based think tank (Link). She will still appeal the decision to take her passport. It seems questionable though that she has any future in the Netherlands.
In the mean time Verdonk's future doesn't look as bright. She loses support both inside as outside her own party.
Sources:
Volkskrant
Washington Post
Zembla (documentary)
BBC news
My own memory and interpretation.
