“I’m not going to deny that it’s all annoying. But it’s not broken or irreparable,” says Nanninga. According to her, it is part of the ‘growth phase’ in which JA21 finds itself that people are leaving.
Critics thought her candidacy inappropriate, because she is now party leader in the Senate and in the Amsterdam city council. Nanninga also becomes campaign manager.
‘Not a good start’
Political reporter Floor Bremer states that JA21 has been rumbling for a long time. The party was founded in 2020 by Eerdmans and Nanninga after they left Forum for Democracy. “The fact that so many prominent party members leave in the week before the campaign starts is of course not a good start.”
MPs Nicki Pouw-Verweij and Derk Jan Eppink have already left for the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB). Shortly after the fall of the cabinet, they declined a place on the JA21 list. They were dissatisfied with the course of the party and felt that too much power was concentrated in a few individuals.
But that’s not the only reason for the frenzy at the party. “They have been arguing for a stricter, more right-wing line on migration for a long time. But the VVD has the same point of view. What then distinguishes JA21 from other right-wing parties? They still have to convince voters of that.”
Joost Eerdmans speaks of a list ‘to be very proud of’ and says to go into the campaign with confidence. “Trusted and innovative mixed together, all layers and from every province,” he explains.
“I am fully convinced that we are a stable party without quarrels.” He doesn’t blame Pouw-Verweij and Eppink either. Due to their departure, Eerdmans will continue as a one-man faction when the House returns from recess on Tuesday. “Then I’d rather you make that choice than go along with something you don’t want.”
“We never give up,” says Nanninga about the internal problems. She thinks election victory is still possible. “I see it as my duty to take responsibility when the going gets tough.”
2023-09-02 18:40:35
#JA21 #believes #election #victory #give
