🇳🇱 Politics and Elections in the Netherlands: General Election (Nov 22)

[CumbrianLefty]

I am still a bit surprised tbh that Wilders accepted not becoming the new PM as easily as he did.

At the very least, maybe it shows he can be more pragmatic than some have presumed on occasion.

[Storr]

Would Plasterk be the first atheist Dutch PM?

"...he is an outspoken atheist. In 1997 he coined the term ietsisme ("somethingism") to refer to the religious belief that the Christian God does not exist, but that there is some greater force that created the universe and governs it. This position is roughly equivalent to 18th century Deism. He first strongly criticized the belief on intellectual grounds, calling it a "poor and irritating phenomenon", but later claimed that it was a mix of atheism and nostalgia, and much more sympathetic "than the idea of a cruel God that wants this misery"."

[jeron]

I am still a bit surprised tbh that Wilders accepted not becoming the new PM as easily as he did.

At the very least, maybe it shows he can be more pragmatic than some have presumed on occasion.

He had to, otherwise there would've been no government

[jeron]

Would Plasterk be the first atheist Dutch PM?

"...he is an outspoken atheist. In 1997 he coined the term ietsisme ("somethingism") to refer to the religious belief that the Christian God does not exist, but that there is some greater force that created the universe and governs it. This position is roughly equivalent to 18th century Deism. He first strongly criticized the belief on intellectual grounds, calling it a "poor and irritating phenomenon", but later claimed that it was a mix of atheism and nostalgia, and much more sympathetic "than the idea of a cruel God that wants this misery"."

There have been four prime ministers who were irreligious at the time they became PM. De Meester (1905-1908) was atheïst. Drees and Den Uyl were brought up protestant but left the church and were agnostic apparently. I am not sure about Wim Kok. He was never religious but i don't know if he was actually an atheist

[Flyersfan232]

Would Plasterk be the first atheist Dutch PM?

"...he is an outspoken atheist. In 1997 he coined the term ietsisme ("somethingism") to refer to the religious belief that the Christian God does not exist, but that there is some greater force that created the universe and governs it. This position is roughly equivalent to 18th century Deism. He first strongly criticized the belief on intellectual grounds, calling it a "poor and irritating phenomenon", but later claimed that it was a mix of atheism and nostalgia, and much more sympathetic "than the idea of a cruel God that wants this misery"."

There have been four prime ministers who were irreligious at the time they became PM. De Meester (1905-1908) was atheïst. Drees and Den Uyl were brought up protestant but left the church and were agnostic apparently. I am not sure about Wim Kok. He was never religious but i don't know if he was actually an atheist

Wilders is a atheist himself i believe

[CumbrianLefty]

I am still a bit surprised tbh that Wilders accepted not becoming the new PM as easily as he did.

At the very least, maybe it shows he can be more pragmatic than some have presumed on occasion.

He had to, otherwise there would've been no government

Well perhaps, but that doesn't really disprove my point does it

[Logical]

[Logical]

Plasterk has withdrawn his PM candidacy.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Plasterk has withdrawn his PM candidacy.

He has withdrawn because of accusations of forgery. He denies the accusations but withdraws his candidature because it makes it impossible / obstructive to do his job.

[CumbrianLefty]

He has other baggage too, thinking this could ever work was always highly optimistic. Was it mainly about trolling the PvdA at the end of the day?

[Flyersfan232]

So when should the new pm option be announced?

[freek]

So when should the new pm option be announced?

Today, apparently.

New designated PM is Dick Schoof. Currently the top civil servant in the ministry of Justice & Security, previously head of the AIVD (secret service), IND (immigration agency), and the national anti-terrorism coordinator.

Not a member of a political party at the moment, used to be a PvdA member in the past.

[Flyersfan232]

So when should the new pm option be announced?

Today, apparently.

New designated PM is Dick Schoof. Currently the top civil servant in the ministry of Justice & Security, previously head of the AIVD (secret service), IND (immigration agency), and the national anti-terrorism coordinator.

Not a member of a political party at the moment, used to be a PvdA member in the past.

cool when should he be taking power?

[freek]

So when should the new pm option be announced?

Today, apparently.

New designated PM is Dick Schoof. Currently the top civil servant in the ministry of Justice & Security, previously head of the AIVD (secret service), IND (immigration agency), and the national anti-terrorism coordinator.

Not a member of a political party at the moment, used to be a PvdA member in the past.

cool when should he be taking power?

Goal is June 26th.

[Zinneke]

Not the worst choice, but kind of sad a country known for its respect for civil liberties will appoint a former spook who used the classic "nothing to fear, nothing to hide" arguments in the past if you ask me. Maybe D66 can actually go back to being a relevant voice on such matters if this government becomes one of the most authoritarian in terms of state reach in Dutch history. One can hope.