Dutch Socialists show major gains ahead of Netherlands elections

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) An untested leftwing party is taking the lead ahead of the Dutch election next month, reflecting resentment over austerity and signalling that one of the eurozone's core northern countries could reject German demands to tighten public deficits.

Polls show the Socialist party could outperform the pro-business Liberal party on 12 September, suggesting it can win between a fifth and a quarter of the seats in parliament.

That would put the Socialist party and its leader, Emile Roemer, in a position to form a coalition where it could influence policy on Europe, despite having no experience of government beyond local level.

The appeal of Roemer, a 50-year-old former teacher, with a toothy smile and a down-to-earth manner, lies in his very ordinariness. He takes his holidays on the Dutch island of Texel, enjoys Italian food and says he's "no bookworm". One of his favourite films is The Silence of the Lambs. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/26/dutch-rookie-party-netherlands-elections