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3/1 Gaza protest criticises politicians

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1/1 Mustapha Laboui leaves district council

 

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'Bizarre renters' party run by landlord'

16 November 2008 - The Socialist Water Board Association (SWV) claims to defend the interests of renters, but its party leader Wiljo van Bennekum is a landlord, warns the Speculation Research Collective (SPOK). Others have called the party 'bizarre'.

Elections for the District Water Boards have started. The SWV claims to defend the interests of renters and to have the support of 'members' of renters' organisations. "Well, well, one imagines the red flag flying", SPOK comments.

"However, Wiljo van Bennekum isn't a renters' friend at all, as far as we know. Wiljo frequently clashes with renters ... his own renters. Huh? Yes, Wiljo is a landlord!"

SPOK is not the first to question the SWV. Last month, weblog GeenCommentaar ranked the SWV among the 'bizarre' participants in the election because its party leader "seems to be a real estate agent (not exactly a profession one usually associates with socialism)".

Speaking of socialism: the Socialist Party warns that the SWV's name may sound similar to its own, but that there is no connection between the two.

One of the candidates on the SWV list is David Parijs from Amstelveen, a medical student at the University of Amsterdam. Asked what kind of party he represents, he told Amstelveens Weekblad: "I don't really know much about that".

"A girl friend said they needed people for the party and for the election and I said yes". Asked about his ideas on regional issues: "I haven't thought about that yet".

The SWV could not be reached for comment since the party's website contains no contact information.

 

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