Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn has just been shot

[Saint Marcus]

I know of no political murders after that...

I think you're right...the 1977 case was a kidnapping. Not sure if a politician was actually killed though.

[Saint Marcus]

it's on CNN now

[Saint Marcus]

they found the alleged killer. well, at least a guy with a gun near the place of the killing.

[Oldenbarnevelt]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus


I think you're right...the 1977 case was a kidnapping. Not sure if a politician was actually killed though.

As you know, some people were killed by Moluccan hijackers and these murders were politically motivated, but the victims themselves were not politicians.

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[Arrian]

He didn't by any chance happen to be in a movie theatre, did he?

-Arrian

[SlowwHand]

Voting matters now more than ever, Saint Marcus.

[Saint Marcus]

As you know, some people were killed by Moluccan hijackers and these murders were politically motivated, but the victims themselves were not politicians.

I thought there were some politicians there. I'm probably wrong about that though.

Voting matters now more than ever, Saint Marcus.

I don't see why. 9 days after this tradegy the political scene will still be a mess. I expect some very bizarre outcomes, that make no sense at all.

[Boris Godunov]

Re: apolyton and murobbs are far superior to cnn when it comes to news.

Originally posted by kassiopeia


Gay *and* right-wing? An incomprehensible combination, if you ask me.

One's sexuality doesn't determine one's political affiliations. Many people grow up in conservative environments and adopt conservative ideologies before discovering their sexuality.

Also, in Europe, and particularly the Netherlands, being conservative doesn't mean being anti-gay like it generally does in the U.S. and more conservative countries.

I know several gay republicans. In fact, I've had a notorious streak of having Log Cabiners (What they call Gay Republicans in the US) wanting to date me. Eww.

[Kassiopeia]

Boris Godunov: I'm sure they don't, but what made me wonder was a homosexual reaching a prominent political position in a far right party. Besides, can a gay really belong in a party that would strip him his rights / deny him from them?

[Dr.Oogkloot]

This is sick.

BTW, I think Lijst-Pim Fortuijn will get more votes now. (because of sympathy for Pim and because public safety was one of his main issues...)
I don't think they will disband. (if only because that's what the shooter would have wanted and it will encourage other potential shooters).

About postponing the elections: are they allowed to do that by the constitution?

Does anyone here know what is usually done when the name of someone who has died is already on all the voting ballots for next week? :/
Surely they won't allow people to vote for Pim himself?

Anyway, I'm not going to change my vote because of this.

[Stefu]

Didn't they have that case of dead senate candidate in US Senate election? In that case, they kept the name of the candidate in ballot, and people voted for the dead guy knowing that someone else would be appointed if the dead guy won.

It might be most auspicious for Pim Fortuyn's party if they kept his name on ballot. After all, people will rather vote for Pim Fortuyn's memory than some second-rate guy they've never likely even heard of.

Yaargh, just remembered - this is parliametary election, isn't it? Do Dutch use long lists or vote for individual? In latter case, they'll probably remove his name.

[Drake Tungsten]

They let the people vote for you, then put your wife (or partner, in this case) into office for you. Just ask Missouri...

edit: Damn Finn beat me to it...

[Saint Marcus]

Besides, can a gay really belong in a party that would strip him his rights / deny him from them?

Right wing parties here are pro-gay-rights.

Do Dutch use long lists or vote for individual? In latter case, they'll probably remove his name.

Both. But if one person gets more votes than he needs for one seat, the rest of the votes go to the next party member.

[Monk]

Kassiopeia, the gay struggle for civil rights is over in The Netherlands and Fortuyn's party never sought to change the situation. As a matter of fact, he explained on occasions that his dislike of Muslims was partly due to the fact they condemn him for his sexuality and would like to strip him of his rights. He was for the legalization of soft drugs as well, which isn't what you'd normally associate with the right wing and he seemed somewhat nicer than his neighbouring counterparts in Vlaams Blok, Front National etc. I vote socialist but I must admit I actually got some sympathy for the man after seeing the previously mentioned TV clip.

[Oldenbarnevelt]

Originally posted by Dr.Oogkloot
This is sick.

BTW, I think Lijst-Pim Fortuijn will get more votes now. (because of sympathy for Pim and because public safety was one of his main issues...)
I don't think they will disband.

Ironically, the weakest point of Fortuyn's party was that it was in fact no more than an appendix to his leadership and his personal opinions. It was hard to picture this party without Fortuyn as a leader.
Again ironically, chances that the party will survive for longer than four years have increased now that they will enter the Dutch parliament with 30+ representatives (edit: out of 150) and a new leader, who will be much more like a traditional political leader i.e. someone who is replaceable and has to compete with others in the party.

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