Denk and Van Baarle Leave the Party for Freedom
What Happened?
On Sunday, November 6, 2022, two members of the Dutch parliament, Tunahan Kuzu and Selçuk Öztürk, left the Party for Freedom (PVV). The two lawmakers, who are of Turkish descent, cited irreconcilable differences with PVV leader Geert Wilders as their reason for leaving the party.
In a joint statement, Kuzu and Öztürk said that they "could no longer reconcile our values with the direction the PVV is taking." They accused Wilders of "dividing society" and of "creating a climate of fear and intolerance."
Who are Denk and Van Baarle?
Tunahan Kuzu and Selçuk Öztürk are both Dutch politicians of Turkish descent. Kuzu was born in the Netherlands in 1981, and Öztürk was born in Turkey in 1969. Both men have been members of the Dutch parliament since 2017.
Kuzu and Öztürk are both members of the Denk party, a pro-immigrant and multicultural political party. Denk was founded in 2015 by Kuzu and Öztürk, and it currently has three seats in the Dutch parliament.
Why Did They Leave the Party for Freedom?
Kuzu and Öztürk have not given a specific reason for leaving the Party for Freedom. However, they have both been critical of Wilders' leadership in the past.
In a 2019 interview, Kuzu said that Wilders was "a danger to Dutch society." Öztürk has also criticized Wilders' anti-immigrant rhetoric.
What Does This Mean for the Party for Freedom?
The departure of Kuzu and Öztürk is a blow to the Party for Freedom. The two lawmakers were among the most prominent members of the party, and their departure could lead to a loss of support among Turkish-Dutch voters.
The Party for Freedom is the second-largest party in the Dutch parliament, but it has been losing support in recent years. In the 2021 general election, the party lost five seats, and it is currently polling at around 15%.
What Does This Mean for Denk?
The departure of Kuzu and Öztürk is a boost for Denk. The party is now the only major pro-immigrant party in the Netherlands, and it is likely to benefit from the support of Turkish-Dutch voters who are disillusioned with the Party for Freedom.
Denk is currently polling at around 5%, and it is possible that the party could gain seats in the next general election.
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