Mahmoud: ‘It feels very special that my parents and I are now allowed to vote for the first time in our lives’
Mahmoud is 23. Not only can he now vote for the first time in his life, that also applies to his parents, brother and sister. “My grandfather and grandmother came from Palestine. They fled to Syria. I was born there too, but because my grandfather and grandmother were refugees, we never got a Syrian passport. Voting was never possible.”
Six years ago, Mahmoud and his brother fled from Syria to the Netherlands. They applied for family reunification here, after which their parents, sister and his brother’s wife also came to the Netherlands. After completing the integration process, they are now all Dutch.
–
–
Very seriously
The fact that they are allowed to vote is something they take very seriously in Mahmoud’s family. “We think it’s really very, very special. Voting feels like a right that we have acquired, not everyone gets that right.”
He and his parents have followed the political news as far as possible. “That is sometimes a bit difficult, because we do not understand people who have a certain accent, for example.” They have also read through all party programs so that they can use their votes properly. “For example, I think it is important that more young people are looked at, they are now forgotten by politics in my opinion.”
learning Dutch
“And in recent years it has become more difficult to build a life as a refugee in the Netherlands, I think that is a shame. That you are not allowed to integrate – and therefore not take Dutch lessons – if you live in an asylum seekers’ center, for example. think it is important that this changes, so that refugees can then start working or studying as soon as possible. “
–
–
Mahmoud finds it hard to believe that there are people who will not vote. “Surely you can’t sit around at home and think that things that go wrong now will automatically turn out to be right? Only by voting can you ensure that something changes. The Netherlands does not belong to the government, that belongs to us as people. We choose which government we get. “
A real, Dutch party
Mahmoud, who works as a business engineer and software developer, is going to the polling station with his parents today. They still have to figure out exactly how it goes there, but that will be fine. “And then we celebrate a real Dutch party together, with good food and streamers. To celebrate this special moment.”
–
–
Ylin (19): ‘My roommates persuaded me to vote’
Ylin from Tilburg will also vote for the first time this year. The music therapy student is 19 years old and therefore has the right to vote for the first time. She is not really interested in politics. “I often find debates boring and long-winded, and the tone annoying. Then I think: I’ll hear it afterwards when something exciting has been said or happened.”
It was her housemates who persuaded her to vote. “They said: voting is a right, it’s a shame if you don’t use it. They are right about that.”
Climate and basic grant
She does not yet know exactly who she will vote for. But there are two themes that she considers important: the climate and the return of the basic grant. “I would be well with the latter nice find it, haha. “
–
–
“I filled in a number of voting guides. Four different parties came out, so now I am looking up on the internet what else those parties stand for and what they want to do and so on. And a housemate is making a podcast series about all political parties. I’m going to listen to that too. “
Together with housemates
Today she goes to the polling station with her housemates. “I think it is special that I can now vote for the first time, but I see it mainly as something I have to do. After that, I just go on with the day.”
“But now I am more curious about who will win, more than when I was not allowed to vote. Now I know a little about what they stand for from many parties, so I can honestly think: good that this one won, or: ah, a pity . “
–
–
Marco (38): ‘As gay with a dark skin color I never felt represented’
Since he was eighteen Marco Jochemsen has been sent ballots, but he never uses them. Never before has there been a party that reflects his vision. Now it is there. “The JA21 party program gives me hope. For the first time I give my confidence, my vote, to this party.”
“As a dark-skinned homosexual, I did not feel I was represented by any party for years,” says Marco. Last year he was beaten up and called names. “‘Fagot, gay, fagot’, they shouted. It was demonstrably gay violence, but even after my report the police did nothing. While it happened in front of Amsterdam Central Station, I was surrounded by cameras.”
Respecting standards and values
Marco does not feel at home with other parties, not even with BIJ1. “It mainly focuses on racism. I was adopted, my parents are white. I am what they call ‘dark white’, have a dark complexion, but a Dutch nationality.”
–
–
He feels less racism, but he does suffer from homophobia. “When I walk down the street hand in hand with a man, I always look back. I used to be able to kiss in the street, now if I do, I get spat on. That has a lot of impact and that’s why I want people with a different culture to do that. Entering the Netherlands, respecting our standards and values. “
Higher punishments
“I think that if all immigrants from any country respect the norms and values of the Netherlands, cultural differences will not become a problem and that everyone will feel safe. Education can contribute to this, because mastering only the Dutch language in word and writing, we are not there. “
“As far as I am concerned, the penalties may be higher and more police officers may be on the streets to make the city center safer. And I only want to allow immigration when education has been linked. That is also said by Annabel Nanninga. She is honest and says in clear terms where it is. That’s why she gets my vote. “
–
–
