Nevertheless, his most controversial statements did place him on the “Right”. He called Islam a “backward religion” and called for a reduction in immigration.
His anti-Islamic views brought much well-deserved criticism, but his focus on fewer immigrants touched a chord in the general populace.
The Netherlands currently has approximately 700,000 legal immigrants in a total population of 16 million. The country has a land area of 33,969 square kilometres or 13,104 square miles and is the most densely populated country in Europe. Fortuyn proposed a downsizing of immigration quotas from 40,000 new legal immigrants a year to 10,000.
His anti-Islamic views brought much well-deserved criticism, but his focus on fewer immigrants touched a chord in the general populace.
The Netherlands currently has approximately 700,000 legal immigrants in a total population of 16 million. The country has a land area of 33,969 square kilometres or 13,104 square miles and is the most densely populated country in Europe. Fortuyn proposed a downsizing of immigration quotas from 40,000 new legal immigrants a year to 10,000.
Distrust of Islam is encouraged by much of the major western Media and a biased view is presented when Muslims are usually depicted as either potential terrorists or religious zealots. The average Muslim is hardly noticed and the progressive scholars are almost totally ignored. Small wonder that anyone in the West might think Islam “backward”. What do most people in the West know of Islam ?
Immigration, on the other hand, is a question that most people, in most countries, discuss in private. Pim Fortuyn brought the question to the fore and took it out of the darkness, where it can breed hatred of “the foreigner”, whoever that might be.
Immigration, on the other hand, is a question that most people, in most countries, discuss in private. Pim Fortuyn brought the question to the fore and took it out of the darkness, where it can breed hatred of “the foreigner”, whoever that might be.
By bringing the subject into the light of the Dutch “Polder Model”, Pim Fortuyn was dispelling the ignorance that spawns fear.
It should be noted that in The Netherlands, resident immigrants – without citizenship – have the right to vote. Their voice is heard and heeded. It might be interesting to hear the immigrant view of immigration. Pim Fortuyn was bringing it to the table. Such is the nature of representative Democracy.
Much of the foreign Media has also compared Pim Fortuyn to Jean-Marie Le Pen and has warned that Continental Europe may be approaching a nationalistic fascistic future.
It should be noted that in The Netherlands, resident immigrants – without citizenship – have the right to vote. Their voice is heard and heeded. It might be interesting to hear the immigrant view of immigration. Pim Fortuyn was bringing it to the table. Such is the nature of representative Democracy.
Much of the foreign Media has also compared Pim Fortuyn to Jean-Marie Le Pen and has warned that Continental Europe may be approaching a nationalistic fascistic future.