What happened?
The hashtag #StopdePNVD goes around a lot on social media. Maybe youve already seen the signature action or the Instagram account @stopdepnvd. The PNVD is a political party that stands for freedom for everyone. Also for minors, so children. There is a lot of fuss about this, because according to the party freedom also includes sex with adults. Anyone can set up a political party. But its spicy. We will explain to you what requirements you have to meet to enter the House of Representatives and whether all views are allowed.
Why do I need to know this?
There are many questions about the political Party for Charity, Freedom and Diversity, or the PNVD. They would like to participate in the elections in March in order to get to the House of Representatives.
Many people on social media are worried about this because of the partys views. For example, their party program states that sex with children from 12 years old, with animals and with deceased persons must be allowed. If it is up to the party, school is no longer compulsory and child pornography and prostitution are legal.
The things proposed by the Party for Charity, Freedom and Diversity are still punishable today, with years of imprisonment.
Besides that, many Dutch people think that just having these kinds of ideas makes child abuse more normal and will happen more often. Especially if it can also be discussed in politics.
A signatures campaign to ban the Party for Charity, Freedom and Diversity has been signed hundreds of thousands of times and the associated Instagram account received nearly 2500 followers in three days. A demonstration against child abuse was also announced in The Hague on 12 September.
One of the founders of the PNVD is Nelson Maatman. He thinks people misunderstand his party and his views. “I dont understand all the fuss. If you want to give young people more rights, you will soon become a child abuser.“, he says.
“ Of all the reactions I get, there is not one content. Its just hate or scouted. Often with cancer. While the point is that in addition to no as a child, you should also be able to say yes. And that your age does not automatically stop you from doing so.”
According to Maatman, that doesnt just apply to sex. “When you pass your driving test at 12, you just meet the requirements to be allowed to drive. And children should also be able to vote in elections.”
Can this just be done?
The answer: yes and no. Freedom of expression allows you to always start a political party in the Netherlands, whatever your views may be. Only a judge can prohibit a party in extreme cases if he thinks it is dangerous for the Netherlands.
By devising a political party, you do not just end up in the House of Representatives. That is quite a job, where you have to meet a lot of requirements.
Thats how you get to the House of Representatives
Step 1: officially establish the party
In order to be able to participate in the elections, you must have a political party with a statute. In it, you write, for example, the rules of your party, who is the boss, who participates in your political plan and who is about the money.
Step 2: Register the name of your new party
Did you come up with a good name for your new political party? Then you also have to register them with the Electoral Council. It was created specifically to ensure that elections are conducted properly and fairly.
Step 3: Money Docking
To prove that you are really serious, you have to pay 11,250 euros to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Step 4: Find people who want to support your party
The Netherlands is divided into twenty areas in elections. In order to participate in the Second Chamber elections, you need to collect 30 signatures per area from people who would like to vote for your party. If you dont pick up those 30 signatures in an area, you dont get there on the ballot. That makes your chance to get enough votes for a spot in the House of Representatives suddenly a lot smaller.
Step 5: the day of the deadline
On 1 February, new parties have to hand over a number of things to the Electoral Council. For example, a list of names of people who would like to be in the House of Representatives for your party.
Four days later, the Electoral Council decides whether your political party may be on the ballot.
Step 6: Get enough votes in the elections
Suppose: all this succeeded and all Dutch people can vote for you during the elections. Then, of course, you still have to get enough votes.
The House of Representatives has 150 members. The blue chairs they sit on are called seats. To conquer one such spot, you need more than 70,000 votes.