Although right wing parties have been ruling in the Netherlands for decades it’s saddening that extreme right parties are gaining ground. These extreme right parties are successfully capitalizing on discontent in the Netherlands trying to stir unrest and bring division and fear in the minds of the people. This is a very old national socialist strategy. Today we’ve seen yet another sizeable protest in Amsterdam where extreme right elements are not only present but also involved in organizing it.

Oddly enough, the Dutch left political side is becoming smaller, now 1/3 of the number of seats in parliament. Unable to take advantage of the fact that they have been in the opposition for a long time. Also the left is hardly seen protesting on the streets any more and definitely not in large numbers. These are indeed depressing times.