by HASSNAE BOUZZA
Henk and Ingrid stand for the 1.5 million people who voted for Geert Wilders and his anti-Islamic Freedom Party (PVV). The politician’s manifesto proclaimed that he championed the interests of “Henk and Ingrid”. The Labour Party (PvdA), he taunted, championed only the interests of Ahmed and Fatima.
Henk and Ingrid have been so wronged by decades of neglect by the established political parties that nothing can be said against them. Whoever, for example, points out that proposals put forward by Mr Wilders and his PVV are reminiscent of South African apartheid policies is immediately accused of demonising the PVV. The publicity generated helps the PVV secure yet more votes.
The PVV and its supporters are, in one and the same sentence, able to play the underdog and pass themselves off as a force to be reckoned with – a contradiction in terms.
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