The demonization of Pim Fortuyn, the Dutch up and coming politician

Bump for Fortuyn.

Could you explain some of the Dutch Party acronyms?
I plead ignorance to the actual political parties in the Netherlands.

I do not follow the German politics, but his CDU party is doing bad from all the scandals lately.

Ping

Here we go:

The current government is made up of the PvdA, VVD and D'66. The opposition contains the CDA, the SP and Groen Links, as well as some smaller parties.

PvdA (Partij van de Arbeid, Party of the Workers): the Dutch socialists/labour party. Its current leader is Wim Kok who is also prime-minister of the Netherlands. Its the biggest party and is in a coalition government for almost 16 years now. First with the CDA, then 8 years with the VVD (called the 'purple' cabinet).

VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, Peoplesparty for Freedom and Democracy): the liberal party and lightly right-winged, although it only serves their own interests.

D'66 (Democrats 1966): the democrats/liberals. Also referred to as the 'young mans VVD' party. Many D'66 members later join the VVD. The last decade it lost many voters.

CDA (Christian Democratic Appel): the Christian right-winged democratic party. It sees the family as the cornerstone of the society. Under Ruud Lubbers (now working for the UN as head of the refugee commission) it was the biggest party and it formed a coalition first with the VVD and later with the PvdA. When Lubbers left many voters turned to other parties. Now led by Balkenende and consevative and anti-drugs.

Groen Links (Green Left): a left winged party, more socialistic than the PvdA. Together with the PvdA they make up the authorities in the bigger cities.

SP (Socialistic Party): even more to the left then GL. Many members of the CPN (Communist Party Netherland) joined them after the party was dissolved. It does not want to be in the government and pledged to be the opposition forever. Its logo is a tomato that is thrown at the government with the text: "vote against".

LN (Livable Netherlands): new party, used to be Fortuyns party, right-winged and led by an DA-officer.

List Fortuyn: Pim Fortuyns new party.

CU (Christian Union): Protestand Christian party.

And there are some smaller parties too. And you people thought choosing from three different parties was difficult!

The more people use terms like "nazi" or "fascist" to describe people like Fortuyn, the less credibility the terms will have and the less people will pay attention. Which is a shame, because the threat of real Nazism and fascism stills remains in the world.

BUMP in honor of Pim Fortuyn.