The Socialist Party drops Republican Statutes: September 2006

**Marengo** · #1 09-01-2006, 04:17 AM

The socialist party (SP) scraped their wish that the country would become a republic from their party programme. Their foreman, Jan Marijnissen commented on Nova that albeit he disaproved of the principle he acknowledges that the RF is significant for most people in the country and that they are doing a good job.

Jo of Palatine · #2 09-01-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marengo

Not performed by HM but still related to her: the socialist party (SP) scraped their wish that the country would become a republic from their party programme. Their foreman, Jan Marijnissen commented on Nova that albeit he disaproved of the principle he acknowledges that the RF is significant for most people in the country and that they are doing a good job.

Now that is a success! Congratulations to the RF for that praise from an uncommon corner - must be honest praise then! - and to the party for showing that even socialist can revise their way of thinking.

Henri M. · #3 09-01-2006, 01:59 PM

The SP, the Socialistic Party (not to be confused with big sister PvdA, the Labour Party) still remains 100% republican.

The SP has always been anti-monarchy, anti-NATO, anti-EU, etc. and they now realize these points are a major hindrance for their ambitions to become part of a (progressive) government, together with the PvdA and GroenLinks (Greenleft).

The SP now acknowledges that the monarchy is a fait accompli, like the NATO and the EU. Now they hope they can change these institutions from inside out.

By the way: the SP is never insulting towards the Queen. Also not GreenLeft. The Dutch republicans are quite careful, knowing the popularity of the royal family.

**Marengo** · #4 09-01-2006, 02:06 PM

well, that depends how you regard 100% republican Henri.
They deleted the wish for a republican form of goverment from their political programme, so not a republican party IMO. The members of parlement of the SP have their private thoughts about the monarchy of course, and I expect them all to favour a republic.
Not all SP members are anti-monarchy, my uncle is an alderman for SP and he made a big point of scrapping the anti-monarchy thing from the party programme (as did many others of course) as he favours the monarchy himself (as do some other SP members).
FYI: My uncle also tries to make a point of wearing a suit and tie (which most members do not), but he is still a socialist Don Quichotte there

Jo of Palatine · #5 09-01-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henri M.

The SP now acknowledges that the monarchy is a fait accompli (...)Now they hope they can change these institutions from inside out.

I wonder how they will try to do that when it comes to the RF. Convincing Princess Maxima that she is the "Maxima lider" of the Royal family perhaps - a bit like "El Maximo Lider" Fidel Castro of Cuba? LOL...

lucien · #6 09-01-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marengo

well, that depends how you regard 100% republican Henri.
They deleted the wish for a republican form of goverment from their political programme, so not a republican party IMO. The members of parlement of the SP have their private thoughts about the monarchy of course, and I expect them all to favour a republic.
Not all SP members are anti-monarchy, my uncle is an alderman for SP and he made a big point of scrapping the anti-monarchy thing from the party programme (as did many others of course) as he favours the monarchy himself (as do some other SP members).
FYI: My uncle also tries to make a point of wearing a suit and tie (which most members do not), but he is still a socialist Don Quichotte there

Even though the SP is absolutely not my party,I still find it charming that Jan Marijnissen is the only party leader at the Binnenhof who takes a bouquet of flowers along upon each visit to HM,and the gesture is very much appreciated at the receiving end.And,funny,he was one of the "spectators"at the Royal Palace on the eve of Alexander's and Máxima's wedding,watching tout Royal Europe arriving for the Ball,and he was beaming,but that might have been because he was standing next to me..

**Marengo** · #7 09-02-2006, 07:16 AM

Oh dear, Mr. Marijnissen might be a repressed Orangist

Time for him to come out of the closet...
Maybe you can try your tricks on Mr. van Bommel and Mrs. Kant (two SP parlementarians), Lucien, they certainly could use a smile on their face!

I remember those pre wedding days in AMsterdam to, there was a certain buzz in the city center. People grouping at the palace, hotels etc. to see what was happening & cheering every royal and other well-known person they could lay their eyes on (cheering Maxima´s relatives to).