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Two days to go, election campaigning picks up

Monday 01 March 2010

A flurry of last-minute appeals to voters and calls for less bureaucracy marked the second-last day of campaigning ahead of Wednesday's local elections.

Caretaker finance minister Jan Kees de Jager, out campaigning for the Christian Democrats, called for a sharp reduction in the number of permits and licences for both private individuals and small firms.

'Simply get rid of lots and lots of them,' De Jager was quoted as saying. He quoted the example of the cafe owner who needs to apply for two different permits if he changes brewery and wants to swap pub signs.

'The Netherlands has become a country of traffic lights, but the traffic flow is much better using roundabouts,' he said.

Stop and search

Meanwhile, the right-wing Liberal party VVD says that the police should be given powers to stop and search anyone they like, whether they are suspected of any crime.

At the moment, body searches are only allowed in specially-designated areas. It has been proved that stopping and searching can help reduce incidents involving weapons, VVD MP Fred Teeven said.

Threats

In Almere, a number of shopkeepers report being told to take down election posters for the fringe party NDP by men claiming to be from Geert Wilders anti-immigration party PVV.

'I was phoned and told to take down a poster otherwise I would get a stone through the window,' shopkeeper Cor Valies told the Parool.

Some 100 people dressed in pjamas covered with flowers took part in an anti-Wilders demonstration in the polder city at the weekend.


© DutchNews.nl


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Readers' comments

"in Almere, a number of shopkeepers report being told to take down election posters for the fringe party NDP by men claiming to be from Geert Wilders anti-immigration party PVV" I thought they wanted Almere to be safe!! is this the safety they are preaching. Maybe .. no better policy...

By kwabena | March 1, 2010 3:13 PM


If these allegations of bullying from the PVV are true then they must be followed up by the police. If the PVV are starting to use underhand tactics like this then they need to be stopped right now.

By simplastic | March 1, 2010 3:45 PM


The problem is not idiots voting for Wilders. The problem is the rest of the idiots that will not vote.

By George | March 1, 2010 6:36 PM


The PVV obviously had nothing to do with this. Most likely some punk kids.

By ProWilders | March 1, 2010 8:15 PM


What really bother me is he attacks the individual (Muslim) instead of the ideology of hatred.
My thoughts after 10 years here...your government quits when it’s not convenient, nice to see the prince at the Olympics, but where is the ordinary citizen? Lastly...why buy high tech military aircraft....when you’re just going to retreat?

By Mr. P | March 1, 2010 10:43 PM


Goood luck to 'The Party For The Animals' on Wednesday!!!!!

By Brenton | March 2, 2010 6:06 AM


Mr. P,
How can Wilders attack the ideology of hatred when that is just what he subscribes to?

By AC | March 2, 2010 1:17 PM


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