The new face of rightwing politics in Holland

Guardian ^ | 5/10/02 | Ian Black and Guy Thornton in Amsterdam

[swarthyguy]

Joao Varela wept without shame as the Netherlands reeled in shock after the assassination of Pim Fortuyn. "He was like a father to me," the young deputy to the anti-immigrant politician said in a brief TV appearance. "He was very inspiring and could have made a difference for Holland." It was another extraordinary moment in the extraordinary drama that has shaken this quiet and prosperous country since the charismatic and controversial populist was killed on Monday by a lone gunman days before the general election.

For the acting leader of Lijst Pim Fortuyn (LPF) - which is now likely to make big gains in next Wednesday's poll - is himself a black immigrant to the Netherlands. And - a sympathy vote and coalition-building allowing - he could be serving in the next government.

Mr Varela and party colleagues were keeping a low profile yesterday as thousands of distraught citizens, including a sprinkling of black people, filed into a Rotterdam church to pay their last respects before Fortuyn's open white coffin surrounded by bouquets of flowers.

"There is no political activity today," said Rene Warmerdam, former spokesman for the former academic known as Professor Pim or the Rotterdam Rottweiler. "People have their personal grief."

Fortuyn's name will remain on the ballot, and many mourners said they would vote for his party even though his was the only name they knew.

"I'm still voting for Pim, even if it is just for the shock effect," said Rahim de Haas, a local voter. "There's a lot wrong in politics. He gave a human face and a voice to all segments of society."

Born in Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony off the west coast of Africa, Varela came to the Netherlands when he was six, with his seven brothers and sisters. His father found work as a guest-worker with Rotterdam's Van Nelle coffee producers.

But when he was eight he ran away from home and went to live with foster parents. "The situation in which we lived made it very difficult for me to make any progress," he recalled recently. "I could feel that then."

High achievement came naturally. "If you want to get anywhere in the Netherlands then you have to be prepared to practise, to try," his fourth-form teacher told him.

Tall and always smartly dressed, he became an outstanding athlete who used his sporting talent to pay his way through Rotterdam's Erasmus university where he studied economics. In 1987 was the Dutch youth tennis champion.

Novice

Now just 27 - exactly half the age of his dead leader - he worked as a marketing analyst for L'Oreal, the cosmetics company.

A political novice, he entered public life in February when a super-quick selection process that took in other novices - including a former Miss Holland - made him a member of the LPF.

Fortuyn founded the new group when he was thrown out of the Leefbar Nederland (Liveable Netherlands) party for his anti-immigrant statements.

Varela phoned Fortuyn's house in Rotterdam, Palazzo di Pietro, to offer his services. Fortuyn wasn't there so he spoke to Albert de Booij, co-founder of the party. "I was very impressed by his manner on the phone," de Booij said later. "Even more so when I met him."

Varela - along with another candidate born in Morocco - found a role because Fortuyn was furious at being called a racist every time he demanded that new immigration be stopped. Like his openly gay mentor, Varela comes from a devout Catholic background, perhaps one reason why he was on the same side in the bitter conflict with Muslim immigrants in Rotterdam, with their bitter condemnation of homosexuality.

Fortuyn described his number two as "a naturally gifted politician." But detractors say Varela is simply the token black and that it was the height of cynicism to say he would be minister for immigration in an LPF government.

Yet Varela - as media shy as Fortuyn was publicity hungry - insists that his background is vital to an understanding of why he joined this most idiosyncratic of parties.

"I'd like to inspire immigrants, but at the same time I have expectations about them," he explained.

"With so many opportunities here in the Netherlands they have to do something with their lives."

In his very few media appearances he has made it clear that it was personal admiration that brought him into politics. "I'm following my heart and Pim Fortuyn," he said.

As a man who pulled himself up by bootstraps, Varela shared Fortuyn's wish to challenge the complacency of mainstream Dutch parties to say out loud that too many immigrants and asylum seekers were pouring in and profiting from the welfare system - while contributing to insecurity.

"The Netherlands does have a problem with asylum seekers, refugees, illegal and other immigrants," he insisted. "I'm fully behind Fortuyn on this. Stop people coming in for the moment till we can sort out this conflict."

And he too wants more emphasis on integration, underlining the importance of the Dutch language to help newcomers settle down: "I see too many satellite dishes, too much trading in goods imported from the countries they come from."

Activist

Fortuyn's murder means that the future of the LPF and Varela are uncertain. Some believe that without its founder those novices who remain will go nowhere fast and may join other parties.

"Joao is a fine fellow," said Jim Janssen van Raay, a former Christian Democrat and Euro MP, and number three on the list.

"But he is really too young to be a political leader just yet."

Consumer activist Winnie de Jong, 43, is widely tipped as the sort of activist who could keep the show on the road.

Thousands of mourners were still filing past Pim Fortuyn's coffin in Rotterdam last night before today's funeral. Putting controversy to one side, the outgoing prime minister, Wim Kok, will lead a mass in Driehuis-Westerveld on the north-western Dutch coast.

[TN Republican]

I think that the method is called, "demeaning the motive," although I suppose both analyses would work. Do you see it more as an implication that, "nobody else would have them, so the misfits joined together?"

Two propaganda tactics rolled up into one snippy sentence!

[swarthyguy]

"devout catholic" - something probably unusual in Holland?Or to express that sentiment?
Just seems to be giving him a religious motivation as his reason being anti Muslim immigrants. When really, he wants them to adjust to the modern world better. Implying something 'irrational' about his views.....the Clarence THomas lines...

[Ciexyz]

Condi Rice is very cool. Hope she goes straight to the top.

[The Great Satan]

If Lijst Pim Fortuyn wins the election, the party will be over for the eurocrats. Their whole house of cards will come tumbling down. Expect a certain amount of hysterics between now and the election.

[aristeides]

Pim Fortuyn thread.

[knighthawk]

May 15 I will vote on Pim Fortuyn. He may be dead, but his thoughts live on.

IN MEMORIAM
PIM FORTUYN
1948 - 2002