Christian democratic party leader Maxime Verhagen made an emotional speech to the CDA conference on Saturday, called to ratify the new coalition agreement between the CDA, VVD and anti-Islam PVV.

Verhagen told the 4,000 party members present that his grandfather and father had been members of the CDA’s predecessor party and he himself has been a member for 34 years. ‘I love this party. I believe in this party,’ Verhagen said.
The meeting has been called to assess the support of ordinary members for the alliance with the anti-Islam group and the contents of the coalition agreement itself. Although the VVD and CDA will form a minority government, they will be kept in power by the PVV, which has ensured a strong anti-immigration slant to the agreement.
Verhagen urged the conference to support the agreement. ‘ We should not shirk our responsibilities,’ he said. ‘We should put our shoulders to the wheel, to make the Netherlands a better place… for the CDA and for everyone,’ he said.
‘I am convinved that the CDA can be a unifying force in our increasingly polarised political landscape.’
One minute
Earlier, dozens of delegates were given one minute to outline their position on the deal.
‘People’s objections are primarily about the influence that [PVV leader Geert] Wilders will have. It is about Wilders’ demands,’ said caretaker health minister Ab Klink, who has resigned as an MP over the issue.
‘ I am so sorry that I will have to vote against,’ said another speaker. ‘ But the PVV is a movement, it has no members, no democracy. Everyone can set up their own schools, unless you are a Muslim. That can’t be right.’
‘I am 20, a Rotterdammer, a Muslim and a proud Dutchman,’ said another. ‘How can I convince my friends to vote for the CDA?’
Another Islamic member waved a Koran and a Bible at the conference hall. ‘I promised my son I would be here for him and his classmates,’ the man said.
More to follow