Worldlog 27 March 2017
It is with great pride that I can announce that after an exciting election campaign, the Party for the Animals has won five seats in the Lower House of Dutch Parliament! A gain of three seats, i.e. an increase of 150 %, which means a great leap forward. The “green anchor” in the Lower House that keeps the other parties focused has thus become much stronger!
During coalition negotiations, I have advocated a climate cabinet consisting of the parties that were awarded Climate Label A by climate organisations, i.e. the Christian Union party (CU), GreenLeft and the Party for the Animals, joined by all Climate Label B parties, namely the Democrats 66 (D66), the Socialist Party (SP) and pensioners‘ interests party 50PLUS. Conservative-liberal party VVD, our country’s largest political party, could also be part of this progressive climate coalition, provided that it complies with the call of prominent party members for a greener course.
Whatever the outcome, our five seats in the Lower House will give us a casting vote and thereby increase our influence!
One of my personal highlights of the election campaign was the Plan B Dinner in Amsterdam which was held on my birthday, 6 March. On a big screen, I was able to watch our foreign sister parties from all over the world, who congratulated me through their own videos. A wonderful surprise. Thank you so much!
Meanwhile, our European Parliament Group has made a strong plea for better protection of meat rabbits. A majority of the EU Parliament now wants to set minimum requirements in European legislation regarding the welfare of meat rabbits. For instance, wire bottom cages should be illegal. Approximately one fourth of the rabbits currently collapse in these battery cages.
In addition, our MEP Anja Hazekamp visited Malta last week in order to develop a picture of the spring hunting of quails and other migratory birds on this island.
Global growth of our work is of great importance – of vital importance, literally. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas, UN climate expert at the World Meteorological Organization, recently highlighted the urgency of the climate problem: “Climate change can no longer be seen in isolation from human activity. We are seeing remarkable changes across the planet that are challenging the limits of our understanding of the climate system. We are now in truly uncharted territory.” This again demonstrates the urgency of a climate cabinet in the Netherlands.
Fortunately, more and more people are discovering our fruitful plans for a much-needed revolution. This growing support will help us to work hard in and outside Parliament, in the Netherlands and abroad. We will work bravely towards new breakthroughs for animals, nature and the environment, and for all vulnerable groups. In the Netherlands and elsewhere!
Kind regards,
Marianne Thieme