DutchNews.nl - Verdonk's TON to compete in 38 local votes

Home

Opinion

Verdonk's TON to compete in 38 local votes

Monday 11 January 2010

Rita Verdonk's populist party Trots op Nederland (proud of the Netherlands) is to contest the March local elections in 38 places, the former immigration minister announced on Sunday.

And TON, which takes a hard line on immigration, will offer a direct challenge to Geert Wilders' PVV in the two cities where the anti-Islam party is taking part - the Hague and Almere.

TON will also field candidates in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Tilburg, Maastricht and many other places, including Verdonk's home town of Pijnacker-Nootdorp. Rotterdam is not on the list. Like Wilders, Verdonk said she had failed to find enough suitable candidates.

Verdonk was immigration minister for the free market Liberals VVD between 2003 and 2007. She left the party after a bitter leadership dispute with Mark Rutte and is now an independent MP.

In early local elections last year, TON took two seats in the new local authority area of Zuidplas.

Subscribe Newsletter
Print-version
News archives

Readers' comments

It would be nice to have political party that represents all the people, regardless of colour, race & religion.
And a party that offers us the chance to vote on major issues, that would be democratic.

Here I go again, wishful thinking - Duh!)

By stevie | January 11, 2010 6:51 PM

I think Rita Verdonk deserves to be listened to and given a chance. Rita has learned by past mistakes which makes a politician wiser and more experienced. Rita Verdonk is doing her own thing now, not what VVD wants her to do which is a good thing because Rita was always for everyone deep in her heart and I admire her for hanging in there during the toughest days of her life, she never gave up. We need more Women politicians such as Rita Verdonk that has courage and strength as an inspiration to other women. Good luck Rita, I have faith in you that you will make a big come back!

By sandra | January 15, 2010 7:05 AM

Comments have been closed for this article.

News