scot47

The idea that the Dutch are open, liberal and tolerant is not accepted by all observers -


"Wartime and Postwar Dutch Attitudes Toward the Jews: Myth and Truth" by Manfred Gerstenfeld

HKG3

The Times reported today (7 March 2017) that the leader of Christian Democrats (CDA) in the Netherlands told a reporter from De Telegraaf that 'we want to see respect for the national anthem. Young people should be taught respect for the king and queen. It is not at all obvious that children learn the national anthem. And when it was sung, we stood up'

Red_Wine_Fairy

I shall reply to your clickbait, against my better judgement

If the king (lack of capitals is deliberate) wanted respect, he shouldn't have had a hissyfit over public pressure not to go through with purchasing his Mozambique dream-holiday-home at the start of austerity measures.

If the king wanted respect, he shouldn't have bought a substitute Greek holiday home, then made the taxpaying public pay for a private boat jetty and security fence around his new toy in the darkest depths of austerity.

If the king respected the people, he would be paying tax right now. But he refuses to discuss it while getting above-inflation payrises from the public purse each and every year.


So no, if this king wants respect, it's about time he earned it. He doesn't do a third of the work his British equivalent does, and she older than his own mother. What is to like about Prince Pils? Absolutely nothing, the lazy barsteward; except perhaps for that comedy moment both he and his wife towered above an obviously uncomfortable Russian President.

calman014

All the more reason for Mr. Rutte to go..he spends most of his time hovering around the royal couple..

SushiFan

Dear Fairy,
I shall reply to your clickbait, against my better judgement
It is not the king who is asking for respect, just the leader of a (nowadays rather small) political party who is asking this.

HKG3

Will the war of words between the Turkish and Dutch governments influence the Dutch general election this week?

Turkey's Erdogan warns Dutch will pay price for dispute - BBC News

SushiFan

It would not surprise me if that is indeed the case. The developments in the coming few days could have influence on the public's opinion.

HKG3

Well, the Dutch election results are less dramatic than the pre election polls suggested. According to ITV News, even Rutte said that Dutch voters rejected the 'wrong sort of populism' in this election.

Dutch election: PM Mark Rutte hails rejection of 'wrong sort of populism' in victory over Geert Wilders - ITV News

Red_Wine_Fairy

Wilders popularity had been diminishing for a while, as it always has done when an election is imminent. Only the non-Dutch press (particularly the British press) got all hot and steamy that perhaps someone else would follow them and they could pontificate about the end of the EU.

This is the Dutch public we're talking about. They don't make waves. They don't even like waves.