War and terrorism top list of worries, May 4 & 5 still relevant: survey

The Dutch are worrying more about wars and terrorism but less about refugees, according to the annual survey by the Comité 4 en 5 mei into how the Dutch rate international and national issues.

Four in 10 people are anxious about war compared to three in 10 last year, with war in Syria uppermost in people’s minds. Six in 10 people say they fear terrorism, the highest number since the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2002.

By contrast, people are now less worried about the influx of refugees.  In 2016 five in 10 people worried refugee numbers but this has gone down to a little over three in 10 this year.

May 4 (Remembrance Day) and 5 (Liberation Day) are still overwhelmingly regarded as important dates in the national calendar.

Eight out of 10 Dutch people participate in the traditional two minutes’ silence on May 4 and six in 10 people watch the Remembrance Day ceremony on television or listen to it on the radio. Eight in 10 say they experience ‘a strong national bond’ during the two days.

Seven in 10 Dutch people think May 5 should be a day off for all working people. If that were to happen and another holiday is sacrificed in its place three in 10 people would opt for Good Friday.