Worldlog Week 34 – 2010

We’re back! A few weeks of relaxing on vacation has recharged our batteries and we are ready to get going again! In this Worldlog we give you an update of events over the past few weeks.

The negotiations over a new government are full swing. It currently seems as though a minority government will be formed with centre-right liberal VVD and the Christian Democrats with parliamentary support from the Geert Wilders’ PVV. During the formation debate in early August, I said that this cabinet will not only undermine people’s confidence in the political system, it means no sustainable policy will be developed which is needed if we are really going to tackle the various crises facing the world. The intended coalition lacks a senate majority, which could jeopardize any meaningful cooperation with the parliament. Our Party for the Animals senator Niko Koffeman wrote an op-ed in early August about this difficult situation. This article resulted in a letter from eight political parties represented in the senate that draws the informateur’s attention to this problem (the ‘informateur’ is a politician who investigates on behalf of the crown whether a proposed cabinet formation will succeed). It’ll be a lot of hard work in the years ahead to keep animals, nature and the environment on the agenda, but we will certainly do our best!

A campaign was organized in the Netherlands last week for the victims of the flooding in Pakistan. I helped man the phones for the donations. The destruction and suffering in Pakistan is so enormous and the need so great. I hope everyone that can contribute something, no matter how small, will do so immediately. It was heart-warming to take calls from all the Dutch people wanting to donate money. The bear reserve of the international animal protection organization WSPA has also been affected. Click here for more information.

I also received on Facebook a wonderful short documentary about a farm in the United States that takes in abused farm pets. It also shows the reality of a ‘free range’ chicken farm. Uncomfortable images, but it remains the reality. Click here for the documentary.

Earlier this year I was interviewed by the Italian newspaper Liberazione and was presented with the article last week. Good to know there is interest in the Party for the Animals from other countries. For those that speak Italian among us, here is the link to the article: [Liberazione]

Last bit of news: Since the end of July, Switzerland has its own Party for the Animals! The Animal Party Switzerland (TPS) was founded by party chairman Thomas Märki, who is also chairman of the Swiss association of vegetarians. He intends to contest the 2011 parliamentary elections with the TPS. He states that the TPS is neither leftwing nor rightwing, but close to the green-liberal philosophy. We wish this party every success for the future and hope that they are indeed able to take part in the parliamentary elections!

Until next week!

Marianne