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377 articles
Opinion
The Pillar, Cofnas, Ghent – the battle for the institutions
In 2018, I published Churchgoers and Pillar-Builders . The crux of the matter was not a ‘culture war’ slogan, but an institutional diagnosis: the left has a network of ‘quadrants’ – culture, media, education, NGOs …
By Sid Lukkassen
Politics
Is a reduction in gas tax impossible due to a European agreement, or are there more hidden rules at play?
If the Netherlands were to lower the tax on natural gas to ease the burden on households now that energy prices are skyrocketing, this would not be without consequences. If the government were to implement this measure …
By Forum for Democracy
Politics
Blurring the line between alleged extremism and legitimate viewpoints threatens to narrow public debate
On 22 September, the Dutch security and anti-terrorism services, AIVD and NCTV, published the report “Behind the façade” on what they term “strategic normalisation by the far-right movement”. The report warns against …
By Forum for Democracy
Politics
Prime Minister Jetten says he wants to “punch opponents in the face”; FVD MP Gideon Van Meijeren tables parliamentary questions
At the annual conference of the ruling D66 party on 27 September, Prime Minister Rob Jetten said that “well-organised and well-funded organisations” were behind attacks on minorities. His message to them: “We’re not …
By Gideon van Meijeren
Opinion
Who sustains our shared world? Part 2: Hannah Arendt and Frits Bolkestein on plurality, freedom and citizenship
Every citizen has a duty to contribute to the community. Freedom does not exist without responsibility; rights do not exist without duties. — Frits Bolkestein, Poldergeest (1998), p. 44 Three noteworthy books have …
By Hans van de Breevaart
Politics
General Political Considerations 2026: Ralf Dekker’s Address to the Dutch Parliament
Speech to the Second Chamber of the States-General of the Netherlands (Lower House of the Dutch Parliament) Ralf Dekker MP, interim leader of the FVD parliamentary group. 16 September 2026 I would like to begin by …
By Ralf Dekker
Opinion
Who sustains our shared world? Part 1: Hannah Arendt and Paul Frissen on plurality and freedom
Hoc [initium] ergo ut esset, creatus est homo, ante quem nullus fuit. — Augustine, De Civitate Dei , XII, 20 Three noteworthy books have recently been published—one on the political philosopher Hannah Arendt, one on the …
By Hans van de Breevaart
Politics
How much Dutch benefit money is being unlawfully transferred abroad? Milan Schenk MP puts down parliamentary questions
Previous studies have shown that private individuals in the Netherlands transfer billions of euros abroad every year. A migrant worker who works here and transfers part of his own salary to his family is one thing. But …
By Milan Schenk
Culture
The Road Home: Reflections on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
”Nothing is more precious to a man than his own country and his parents, even if he lives in a fine house in a foreign land.” — Homer, Odyssey , Book IX The Absent King Leaders who are not at home may be the simplest …
By Hans van de Breevaart
Politics
Why the right must look beyond the familiar Christian-Democratic reflex
There is yet another new party on the right in the Netherlands. Project2029 presents itself as a new socially conservative alternative. However, anyone who truly wishes to offer a response to the crisis of our time will …
By Vincent Vos
Politics
Questions from Pepijn Van Houwelingen MP (FVD) to the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the war in Ukraine
Questions from Pepijn Van Houwelingen MP (FVD) to the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the war in Ukraine, submitted on 1 September 2026 Is the Government aware of the fundamental criticism (largely in line with …
By Pepijn van Houwelingen
Opinion
A Hero of our Time
Joris Luyendijk is a former journalist who has become an activist for Ukraine. He recently abandoned what he said had been his earlier journalistic neutrality now to campaign and raise funds for both humanitarian and …
By John Laughland
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