This became clear in the TV program BEAU, where Baudet was a guest. He called the report ‘absurd’. Baudet stepped down as party leader on Tuesday. This happened after an internal argument about anti-Semitic and homophobic messages in app groups of the youth branch of the party.
Baudet said in the talk show that he did not read the controversial app messages and saw the conflict as ‘a coup, a seizure of power’. “I realized that these people were after my downfall. That they wanted me out completely, that they have come to conflict with absurd demands.”
No more access
The board complained earlier today about the way in which Baudet retraced his steps and, via the party’s Twitter account, announced that he wanted to hold a leadership election. “Since this afternoon, we no longer have access to and control over various (social) media channels and IT systems of the party. And therefore not the possibility to communicate via those channels.”
The board has asked him to give back access to the social media accounts and not to communicate on behalf of the party.
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‘I am Forum’
Political commentator Frits Wester says that Baudet is looking for ‘a new mandate’. “He wants to show: I am the great leader, I have the support within the party. You really must have me, because I am Forum.”
Whether Baudet will succeed in that mission is highly doubtful, says Wester. “I have the feeling that things will not go well with this party.”
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Last night, the Forum group in the European Parliament announced in a statement that it supported the party leadership. Baudet’s approach “shows little professionalism, integrity and reliability,” write the MEPs.
‘Clear agreements’
The group states that ‘clear agreements’ had been made. Baudet would step down as chairman and political leader. In order to keep him for the party, ‘a switch’ would have been proposed to free up a seat in the European Parliament for him:
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