The Supreme Court should be able to ban political parties that seek or aim to undermine democracy. This emerges from a bill prepared by the cabinet.
Interior Minister Bruins Slot said: “Parties that have won our trust with our votes should also never endanger our democracy.” said.
The text states that the court may ban a party “if, through its purpose or activities, it poses a real and serious threat to one or more of the fundamental principles of the democratic constitutional state.”
It is already possible to ban a party with current legislation. This is possible if it violates public order. D66 recently made a proposal to expand the possibilities of prohibition simply by amending the Civil Code. The reason was the statements of the members of the Democracy Forum.
However, the government does not find this method legally reasonable. Bruins Slot says the now proposed party law should become a coherent law for all rules.
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The law also aims to improve monitoring of compliance with funding rules, such as donations and membership fees. Parties can only receive cash or in-kind aid from Dutch donors.
A reporting obligation will apply to political advertisements that should lead to greater transparency. Among other things, the ad must show where the ad was placed, what the message was and who paid for the ad and how much.
It should also be known what data is used by Internet users to address certain target groups, which is called microtargeting in the law.
A new authority, the Law on the Institution of Political Parties, will be established to monitor compliance with the law. It should also examine the state aid given to political parties.
A widespread political desire to provide more support to local political parties and local associations is also regulated by law. Once the bill is passed, they are entitled to receive funding for a period of three years.
long preparation
The law is the result of years of preparation and deliberation by the Veling and Remkes committees on the Dutch political system.
In 2017, the Remkes Committee observed, among other things, that citizens felt that politicians were not heard enough. It was also noted that the system needs to be modernized. But the recommendation for a corrective referendum will not be accepted by the cabinet, as previously known. Related proposals from the House of Representatives also failed.
The law also contains relevant regulations, for example academic offices of political parties and youth agencies.
Until 21 March 2023, citizens, political parties and other interest groups can comment on the bill through a so-called internet consultancy.
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
