The new populist party launched by former PVV parliamentarian Hero Brinkman aims to fill the ‘mega’ gap on the right of Dutch politics, Brinkman said at the party’s presentation to the media on Tuesday.

The party has been named Het Democratisch Politiek Keerpunt (the democratic, political turning point) and is targeting five parliamentary seats in the September 12 general election.
Brinkman has joined forces with Trots op Nederlands (proud of the Netherlands), the populist movement formed by former VVD parliamentarian Rita Verdonk, to create the DPKP. Verdonk quit TON last year.
Explaining the party’s name, Brinkman said he is a ‘democrat in heart and soul’. Turning point refers to the fact society is at a turning point in terms of Europe, the euro, the political system, healthcare and education, Brinkman said.
The new party wants to fill the ‘mega’ gap on the right wing, Brinkman said. This gap exists because the anti-immigration PVV is ‘as left as the Socialists in terms of financial and economic policy,’ Brinkman said.
Brinkman left Geert Wilders’ PVV in March, saying the party was undemocratic and divisive.
The DPKP plans to present its plans for the election in several weeks time. Cutting the size of the government apparatus will be a primary goal, as will the creation of the ‘neuro’, a single currency for northern Europe.