Pim Fortuyn

This former sociology professor was a flamboyant character who took the established Dutch politics by a storm in the coming up to the 2002 elections. He combined a classy lifestyle with hard-hitting populist views and quickly gained a large support in The Netherlands. His newly formed party, Lijst Pim Fortuyn were set to pick up enough seats in the Dutch parliament to become a significant political force, when their leader was assassinated on the 6th of May 2002, 9 days before the general elections.

This was the first assassination in Dutch political history and completely shocked the Dutch nation. It was described by many as the 11 September of the Netherlands and though many did not agree with his views, all were appalled by the murder. The day after the assassination spontaneous peace marches were held and people queued for hours to sign condoleance registers.

Although the impact on the Dutch nation was tremendous it was decided to let the general elections continu, because democracy should not bow to such terror.

Background to elections

Rotterdam

In the Dutch municipal elections of 2002 Pim Fortuyn emerged as the leader of the newly founded local party 'Leefbaar Rotterdam' (Liveable Rotterdam). He gained almost 35% of the votes in this second largest City of The Netherlands with his flamboyant character and populist prononouncements. Some of the main points in his campaign were the immigrant problem and the general feeling of unsafety in the city.


Leefbaar Nederland

After his succes in Rotterdam he continued with the party Leefbaar Nederland and set forth to the general elections that same year. With the same populist ideas he gained a large number of followers and Leefbaar Nederland seemed to be destined to become the second largest party in The Netherlands. However after a dispute in the party as a result of Fortuyn's statements concerning his call for the repeal of the first article of the constitution which forbids discrimination, he was sacked as leader of his own party.


Lijst Pim Fortuyn

This didn't stop him however. He started a new party, Lijst Pim Fortuyn. This party gained popularity at the cost of Leefbaar Nederland which proved that it was Pim Fortuyn the people were looking for. His party was doing very well when Professor Pim, as he liked to be called, was assassinated on 5th of May 2002 just before the general elections. He had just left a radio station after an interview when a man, not a foreigner as many feared, shot him 5 times at close range, instantly killing him.

The Person

The shaven-headed former academic and columnist was openly gay, distinguishing him from most of Europe's far-right politicians. Over the last 10 years he made his name as a columnist and commentator, producing a number of articles and books on society and politics. He lived as a gentleman, dressed himself in expensive suits, had a butler and boasted a chauffeur-driven Jaguar. He also had a house in Italy where he spent some time every year.

Views

His views were mostly populist which also accounts for many of his votes. Fortuyn wanted to significantly reduce the number of immigrants and asylum-seekers who arrive in the Netherlands each year, in stead wanting to better integrate the foreigners currently living in The Netherlands.



He further provoked controversy wherever he went "This is a full country," he said. "I think 16 million Dutchmen are about enough." Still he didn't see himself as far-right and anti-foreigner; he distantiated himself from politicians as Haider and Le Pen. The most controversial of his views was about the Islam, which he called a "backward culture".



Fortuyn's anti-Muslim views, calls for an end to all immigration and proposals to come down hard on crime struck a chord with voters despite the country's celebrated reputation for liberalism and religious tolerance. Even a lot of people who certainly did not intend to vote for him agreed the maverick leader had a certain attraction.