The Netherlands-Almere: Can This City Predict The Fate Of The Dutch Elections?

Solar Island Almere

Founded in 1976, this city 30 kilometers from Amsterdam offers a glimpse into the future of the Netherlands. Leaving behind the tourist droves of the capital, a 20-minute ride on an Intercity train — equipped with WiFi — whisks you through windmills and farmland to reach Almere.

Lying 3.2 meters below sea level, the 7th largest city in the country has a population of almost 200,000 people. One in three locals hails from outside the European Union (EU). The local statistics office says Almere is home to 153 nationalities and 181 ethnicities.

Despite its diversity, Almere voted for the xenophobic right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) for the last seven years. Headed by Geert Wilders, a controversial figure, the party is leading in national polls ahead of Wednesday’s election. PVV could even unseat the current government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The Dutch election is the first in a long line of crucial polls in Europe this year. It comes ahead of votes in France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

In Almere, no house is further than 400 meters from a bus stop. Public transportation and bicycles have dedicated lanes on roads. The town square is an enormous open-air shopping mall with three-story buildings that make it reminiscent of a college campus. An atmosphere of order and tranquility prevails in residential neighborhoods — this is not a neglected area where far-right parties often thrive.

A third of Almere’s residents are aged younger than 25 years and only 9% of inhabitants are older than 65 years. Local economic trends match national ones — 2% GDP growth and an unemployment rate of 5.3%, much lower than the Eurozone average of 9.6%. After a day in the city, it’s difficult to find someone who openly admits to supporting the PVV.

Faiza, 50, has lived in the Netherlands for 20 years. She’s waiting for her number to be called in the city hall, a vast open space with comfortable couches and floor lamps that makes it seem like a furniture showroom. "They are ashamed to say so publicly but in private many residents support Wilders’ views," she says. "I don’t know what’s happening to Dutch society, it used to be that respecting rules and laws was sufficient for integration. It’s not like that anymore, especially for Muslims, and our religion is seen as a disease that must be kept at bay."

In recent years, there have been a few cases of radicalized Islamists in Almere but none managed to carry out terrorist attacks. This trend may have contributed to anti-Muslim sentiment in the city. The first point of Wilders’ policy manifesto promises to "de-Islamize" the Netherlands. This would involve shuttering mosques and Islamic schools and banning the Islamic veil and sales of the Koran.

Few people in the country believe the Netherlands will split from the EU.

The upcoming election has also focused on the question of immigration. Denk, which means "think" in Dutch, is a new pro-immigrant party. Founded by Turkish immigrants, the party may gain representation in parliament for the first time.

There are 28 parties contesting the election but only half of them are likely to get enough votes to win seats. Even if Wilders gets the most votes, it will be difficult for the PVV to form a coalition in a country with an ultra-proportional electoral system. It will take at least three months for any winner to put together a credible coalition.

"Wilders definitely won’t be in the coalition government that emerges," says Meindert Fennema, a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam. "No one wants to ally with the PVV and even he has no intention of becoming Prime Minister."

The logic goes that it would be too politically risky for Wilders to govern; it suits him better to stay in the opposition.

This is exactly what has happened to the PVV in its stronghold of Almere. Despite being the single largest party to win there, it has been kept out of local government by a coalition of opposing parties. 

Instead, the city government is controlled by the progressive liberal D66 party. Franc Weerwind, the mayor, is the son of immigrants from Suriname. In 2015, he also became the first person of color to become a mayor in the Netherlands.

Read more: Can This City Predict The Fate Of The Dutch Elections? - Worldcrunch

Turkey’s Tyrannical Rule, Erdogan’s “Democratic Dictatorship” - by Stephen Lendman

The Boss is a dictator - vote NO

Anyone criticizing or challenging his leadership risks imprisonment, including public figures, journalists, academics, other intellectuals, human rights activists, even young children – on charges ranging from insulting the president to terrorism, espionage or treason.

He purged or imprisoned over 100,000 regime critics – from the judiciary, military, police, media and academia.

His state of emergency imposed after last summer’s coup attempt “target(s) criticism, not terrorism,” according to UN High Commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein.

He uses emergency powers to target dissent, aimed at consolidating unchallenged power.

He’s accused of disappearing opponents, extrajudicial killings, torture, and other flagrant human rights abuses.

Last year, he cited Hitler as a role model, calling his Nazi regime perhaps an ideal way to run Turkey, saying he wants things streamlined for more effective decision-making – code language for wanting iron-fisted rule, all challengers and critics eliminated.

He’s at war with Kurds in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, committing atrocities on the phony pretext of combating terrorism he supports – claiming he has a “historical (regional) responsibility.”

A row between Berlin and Ankara erupted after local German authorities cancelled campaign events Turkish ministers arranged to speak at in support of an April referendum on expanding Erdogan’s presidential powers.

About 1.4 million Turkish nationals live in Germany, eligible to vote in the referendum.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had nothing to do with it. Ignoring his own tyrannical rule, Erdogan responded angrily, saying “Germany, you have no relation whatsoever to democracy and you should know that your current actions are no different to those of the Nazi period.”

His spokesman Ibrahim Kalin claimed “(a) huge anti-Turkey, anti-Erdogan attitude is being systematically produced and serviced to the world, especially through Germany.”

Merkel said his accusations “cannot be justified. We will not allow the victims of the Nazis to be trivialized. These comparisons with the Nazis must stop.”

Last month, Die Welt reporter Deniz Yucel, with dual German/Turkish citizenship, was detained in Istanbul, accused of spying for Berlin and representing the outlawed Kurdish PKK group.

Germany called the charges “absurd.” Merkel told parliament her government is working “with all its means” to free him.

A separate row erupted after the Netherlands canceled flight clearance for Turkish Prime Minister Melvut Cavusoglu’s scheduled March 11 visit to Rotterdam to speak at a pro-Erdogan rally.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Ankara wasn’t respecting public gathering rules, explaining:

    “Many Dutch people with a Turkish background are authorized to vote in the referendum over the Turkish constitution. The Dutch government does not have any protest against gatherings in our country to inform them about it.”

    “But these gatherings may not contribute to tensions in our society and everyone who wants to hold a gathering is obliged to follow instructions of those in authority so that public order and safety can be guaranteed.”

Cavusoglu angrily responded, saying “(i)f the Netherlands cancels my flight clearance today, then we will impose severe sanctions,” adding he intends flying to the country later on Saturday.

A Dutch government statement said his “sanctions threat made search for a reasonable solution impossible.”

Erdogan called Dutch authorities “Nazi remnants, fascists,” warning they’ll be impeded from traveling to Turkey.

How this row gets resolved remains to be seen. Dealings with Erdogan are never easy.

Note EU-Digest: Turkey under leadership of Erdogan is an ever increasing disaster: It is time for the EU, the NATO and democratic countries around the world to call a Spade a Spade and wake up to the fact that it is impossible to deal with this Turkish narcissist president. 

He already is a dictator - has no respect for the present Turkish Constitution, election laws (which forbid the Turkish Government and citizens to hold political rallies abroad); locked up more journalists than China; and has enriched himself and his family with money from illegal business deals .Erdogan's so-called referendum on April 16, 2017 is nothing more than a further attempt to amass more power and influence.. YES INDEED, TURKS AROUND THE WORLD NEED TO PROTECT TURKEY FROM DESTRUCTION AND VOTE NO.

Read more: Turkey’s Tyrannical Rule, Erdogan’s “Democratic Dictatorship” | Global Research - Centre for Research on Globalization

US-Russia-EU: How to Connect the Dots Between Trump and Russia - destabelizing the EU

Nicholas Kristof has written a valuable column in The New York Times, “Connecting Trump’s Dots to Russia,” in which he lists 10 “crucial” pieces of information that may indicate that Donald Trump’s inner circle colluded in some way with Moscow’s interference in the U.S. election.

I agree with most of what Kristof writes, with some significant exceptions. I also agree with his bottom line to resolve this morass: “What is desperately needed is an independent inquiry modeled on the 9/11 Commission.” (See Just Security’s Andy Wright’s work for some of the finest analysis of that point.)

1. Kristof writes that Trump has “appointed officials also friendly to Moscow.” That’s true with respect to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn. It may also be true with respect to Steve Bannon in so far as his interests align with Vladimir Putin’s (from stoking the alt-right in America to destabilizing the EU).

But it is not true for a host of other important administration positions, many of which I have tracked, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland, plus the nominee for director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, and the possible White House senior director for Russia and Europe, Fiona Hill.

Those dots do not neatly align with the others. They require, at least, a more complicated explanation.

2. Kristof wisely cautions Democrats not to descend into unfounded conspiratorial thinking (though I’m not sure why he focuses just on them since leading Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator John McCain and Evan McMullin, are also deeply concerned about the Russia ties).

It’s important to add a similar caution to news media. For example, David Corn, who has written some of the best pieces on the Russian scandal, also published a story on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s connections to Russians: “Here’s Another Trump Cabinet Pick With Close Financial Ties to Russians—Wilbur Ross joined with a Russian oligarch and a former KGB official to run a troubled bank in Cyprus.”

That article (plus Rachel Maddow’s coverage) now seems in need of significant qualification in light of more recent extraordinary reporting by The New York Times: “New Commerce Secretary Was No Friend to Russians at Cyprus Bank.”

This does not mean that reporters should stop inquiring into what role Wilbur Ross may have played in various aspects of Trump’s finances and connections back through to Russia, but it does mean: Don’t discard information that does not fit into one’s story.

3. It should be acknowledged that former and current U.S. officials have stated that there is not (at least not yet) evidence of collusion between Trump’s circle and Russia.
 

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told Meet the Press that by the time he left office, the DNI had “no evidence of such collusion.” The mid-February blockbuster New York Times report of repeated contacts between Trump’s campaign team and Russian intelligence also had this important caveat:

The intelligence agencies then sought to learn whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts to influence the election. The officials interviewed in recent weeks said that, so far, they had seen no evidence of such cooperation.

Sor complete report: : How to Connect the Dots Between Trump and

Turkey-The Netherlands -EU: Diplomatic row as Dutch withdraw landing rights for Turkish minister's plane

The Netherlands says NO

The Netherlands has withdrawn landing rights for a plane carrying a Turkish government minister who wanted to address a rally in support of a controversial referendum giving more power to the president.

Foreign affairs minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu was planning to speak at a meeting in support of the referendum in Rotterdam late on Saturday afternoon. The decision to stop the plane carrying Cavusoglu from landing was taken on public order grounds. The call by the Turkish authorities for a mass demonstration is a threat to public order and safety, the Dutch foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

‘The Netherlands was in talks with the Turkish authorities about an acceptable solution to the visit,’ the statement said. Talks were ongoing about whether the meeting could take place in a smaller, closed environment such as a Turkish consulate or the embassy. ‘But before those talks could be completed, the Turkish authorities made a public threat about sanctions.

That made the search for a reasonable solution impossible,’ the statement said. The ministry said that many Dutch Turkish have voting rights in Turkey and that the government has no objection to information meetings. ‘But these meetings cannot contribute to the tensions in our society,’ the statement said.

More powers Cavusoglu hopes to win support for a yes vote in the Turkish referendum on amending the constitution to concentrate more power with president Tayyip Erdogan. Prime minister Mark Rutte has said the visit, planned for just four days before the Dutch general election, is ‘undesirable’.

The timing is inopportune, given that much of the election campaign revolves around maintaining the Dutch identity. It would also be playing into the hands of Geert Wilders, who held a short demonstration for the press in front of the Turkish embassy on Wednesday, Dutch commentators said.

Note EU-Digest: Obviously this move by the Dutch PM will score a lot of points for him in the upcoming Dutch elections in 4 days ,


Read more: Diplomatic row as Dutch withdraw landing rights for Turkish minister's plane - DutchNews.nl

Kurds: UN accuses Turkey of 'serious' human rights violations against its Kurdish south-east region

High Time Erdogan Restarts Peace Process

The United Nations has accused Turkey of ‘serious’ human rights violations during operations against Kurdish separatists in the south-east of the country.

The UN says up to half a million people were displaced and at least 2000 people killed from July 2015.
–
The town of Cizre is said to have seen destruction on a massive scale.

Numerous disappearances and instances of torture were also documented in a report released by the UN human rights office on Friday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville said:“It appears that not a single suspect was apprehended and not a single individual was prosecuted for violations that occurred during this period. The government of Turkey has repeatedly failed to grant us access but has nevertheless contested the veracity of the very serious allegations made in this report.”

The surge in violence is said to have occured after a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK fell apart. Ankara did not immediately comment on the UN’s findings.

In early 2016, nearly 200 people were trapped for weeks in basements without food, water or medical help before they were killed in fire by shelling, the report said.

Note EU-Digest: Interesting is that Turkey always is one of the first to complain when Israeli's attack Palestinians in Gaza or on the occupied West-bank. But on the other hand  consider it absolutely normal to do the same against the Kurds, who numbered about 14 million people (or 18% of the Turkish population) who live mainly  in the south-eastern and eastern parts of Anatolia in Turkey

Isn't it high time the Peace Process between the Turks and the Kurds gets a new start?  

EU-Digest

Turkey: Erdogan: Sultan of an Illusionary Ottoman Empire - by Alon Ben-Meir

Recep Tayip Erdogan: Ottoman Empire reincarnated ?

In many conversations and encounters I had over the years with former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, he emphatically echoed his boss President Erdogan’s grandiose vision.

The vision was that by 2023 — the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic — Turkey will become as powerful and influential as the Ottoman Empire was during its heyday.

Under the best of circumstances, Turkey cannot realize Erdogan’s far-fetched dream.

Had he stayed the course, however, with the socio-political and judiciary reforms and economic developments that he put in motion during his first nine years in power, Turkey could have become a major player on the global stage and a regional powerhouse.

Sadly, Erdogan abandoned much of the impressive democratic reforms he championed. Instead, he embarked upon a systematic Islamization of the country while dismantling the pillars of democracy.
In the process, Erdogan amassed unprecedented powers and transformed Turkey from a democratic to an autocratic country. He has ensured that he has the last word on all matters of state.

Read more: Erdogan: Sultan of an Illusionary Ottoman Empire - The Globalist

Germany and the EU: In the Crosshairs of Trump and Putin - by James Laxer

EU: It is time to stop being mouth fed by the US

Links between the Trump administration and the Russians are an explosive political issue.

But what draws U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin together? As it happens they do have one major common target in their sights. Though this may surprise many, that target is the European Union and more narrowly the power of Germany.

The reasons for their enmity toward the EU and Berlin are not obscure. Even after the United Kingdom exits, the European Union will have a population of more than 440 million people spread across 27 member states.

Number one in the EU is Germany, home to just over 80 million people and the continent’s dominant economy.

During the post war decades, a major goal of American foreign and defence policy was to bolster the reconstruction of the West German and European economies and to support the progress toward the creation of today’s European Union. Western Europe was to serve as a bulwark against the Soviet Union.

Much has changed. Germany is united and economically dominates the continent. The Soviet Union and its Eastern European empire have collapsed. Today’s autocratic Russia is capitalist, brimming with nuclear missiles and has a Gross Domestic Product that is smaller than Canada’s.

The Trump administration reckons that the further evolution of the European Union’s political and economic project poses far more of a threat to American power than does Russia.

Today, with the open support of both Trump and Putin, far right populist movements across Europe have launched political assaults against the EU. Last June, the leave forces triumphed in the referendum to pull the U.K. out of the EU.

A crucial presidential election in France will further test the viability of the EU.

Marine Le Pen, who is pro Putin and pro Trump, leads the far right Front National. Polls point to her coming first in the initial round of voting in France’s presidential election in April and going on to lose in the second round to a more moderate candidate. If Le Pen were to win, unlikely but far from impossible, it would constitute a body blow to the EU.

The hostility to the EU among far right parties in Europe, as well as in Trump’s Washington and Putin’s Moscow, is deeply ideological. The EU is the world’s leading experiment in creating a nascent federal state to which countries voluntarily give up some of their sovereignty. If it works, the EU will create a post-nationalist European identity. This is anathema to Trump, Putin and Le Pen.

The EU displays the vulnerabilities of a half-constructed edifice. Most of it has a common currency, the Euro and free movement of citizens. But rates of unemployment vary enormously from Spain and Greece where huge numbers of young adults cannot find jobs to Germany with a current jobless rate of only 5.9 per cent. The generally cautious policies of the German government and the European Central Bank have long been blamed for sluggish growth and high unemployment in many parts of the continent.

As Europe confronts the fraught politics of managing the flight of refugees to the continent from the Syrian war, and from African countries torn by drought and civil conflict, far right parties see this as their great opportunity.

Last month, when I was in Menton on the French Mediterranean border with Italy, I saw French police squads rounding up African migrants who had walked into France along the railway tracks or who had arrived on trains. The migrants were questioned, placed in police vans and driven to the border where they were dropped off to fend for themselves in Italy.

So far, the German political centre is holding under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who heads up a coalition government of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. But she is under fire from right wing populists for admitting over one million asylum seekers into Germany over the past two years. Her government faces national elections later this year.

Note EU-Digest: The EU can either move forward to more complete economic, social and political union, or it can fragment into its constituent parts. Trump and Putin would welcome the latter, which would enfeeble a potent rival. For Europeans who have enjoyed peace and relative prosperity for decades, rather than the terrible wars that came before, it would be an entirely different matter. 

Europe must wake-up to the fact that the EU-US Atlantic Alliance with the Donald Trump Administration is dead on paper and in reality. 

Consequently the EU must stop crying over spilled milk, refrain from putting any more eggs in the bottomless US Corporate and Military basket. Instead, start to seriously develop an independent foreign policy, including a strong  military defense force.

EU-Digest