ANPVVD leader Yeşilgöz and PVV leader Wilders at the NOS Radio 1 election debate
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 21:58
VVD leader Yeşilgöz has distanced himself from PVV leader Wilders. A few months ago, Yeşilgöz said that she did not rule out cooperation with the PVV, as her predecessor Rutte did. But in it NOS Radio 1 election debate there was little sign of this rapprochement anymore and the two parties clashed over asylum policy.
According to Yeşilgöz, the PVV election manifesto contains “really nothing that will move the country forward, but will “destroy” the country. Wilders, for example, is advocating a complete asylum freeze. “I have nothing to do with what he is proclaiming here,” said Yeşilgöz.
Wilders, in turn, said that the VVD had mainly implemented D66 policy in recent years and that more and more asylum seekers have joined. He also believes that the VVD leader cannot handle criticism, to which Yeşilgöz said: “I don’t get irritated by this bluster, but I find it tiring.”
Watch the clash between Yeşilgöz and Wilders here
Hard collision between Wilders and Yesilgöz
When asked whether the VVD now regretted its rapprochement with the PVV, Yeşilgöz said briefly: “I am not excluding voters. But shouting one-liners that no one can do anything with does not help.”
NOS reporter Xander van der Wulp:
“In the NOS Radio 1 election debate, it was striking that it was generally quite friendly. There are many newcomers and they want to make a debate more substantive. So far it has been fairly cautious, but tonight there were a number of party leaders who took it fiercely.
The confrontation between VVD leader Yeşilgöz and PVV leader Wilders on the theme of migration was particularly striking. In March, the new party leader emphatically stated that she did not rule out cooperation with the PVV. She always says that she does not want to exclude his voters.
But the VVD leader was now much clearer about Wilders and his party program by saying that she has no interest in it at all. That doesn’t offer many clues. But the door is not completely closed yet.”
The Radio 1 election debate is the first major debate with almost all party leaders. The New Social Contract had a different agreement. The debates included climate, social security and regaining confidence in politics.
Watch some notable moments in the 2.5-hour debate here
The war between Israel and Hamas was also discussed, where GroenLinks leader Timmermans in particular was critical of Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza. He called the attacks “not proportionate in any way.”
His party understands that Israel must defend itself against the attacks of the terrorist organization Hamas. “But the question is gradually becoming: do two million people have to suffer like this?” He doesn’t think these attacks are helping the country either. “That’s how you create more hate.”
PVV leader Wilders strongly disagreed. He called the statement about creating hatred shocking. “Israel is fighting for its existence. They must hit back hard and their action is proportionate.”
VVD leader Yesilgöz especially emphasized that Israel does have the right to defend itself. “Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations that want to destroy the State of Israel.”
Confrontation Timmermans and Wilders about Israel and Gaza
2023-11-03 20:58:48
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