But there doesn’t seem to be much attention, according to BBB frontwoman Caroline van der Plas. She doesn’t take part in the “false debate” between the VVD and the “cloud left”, although she isn’t exactly sad about it. ‘Let mock debates, people realize this is a trick.’
She is supported by JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans, who says the VVD is deliberately silent about the polls. “The BBB and JA21 are doing well in the province, and the VVD is finding it difficult,” he says. “So they avoid it, and while I understand it electorally, I think voters ultimately feel differently.”
Comprehension
He also says relations with the BBB are good, in part because Eerdmans feels that where the BBB takes voters away from the CDA, JA21 takes them from the VVD. “It’s definitely going to be confusing, but it’s not necessarily the same pond,” Eerdmans continues. “It’s the pool of people who are just not happy with Rutte.” You notice it a lot in the polls in the east where BBB is doing well, and for us in the west and south. I think we’ll both do well.’
Co-drive?
Eerdmans therefore does not rule out co-government in the province, provided sufficient seats can be obtained on the most important points. He cites CDA, VVD and BBB as logical coalition partners.
The BBB is also open to possible collaboration with the VVD, although BBB leader Van der Plas was previously critical of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “But he is not a candidate for the provincial council and will not become a deputy,” he explains. “So we’re only talking to the VVD when it comes to the province.”
The largest may not be topped
PVV leader Geert Wilders says it is important that voters are taken seriously and that major parties are not simply left out. “It’s very undemocratic to ignore winners beforehand,” he chuckled. ‘Talking to each other doesn’t mean you have to agree, because sometimes that’s not possible. But you will have to try. If you don’t, you don’t take the voter seriously.’