Netherlands: Dutch Farmers Win Big in Elections

 Hat tip Gates of Vienna, Vlad Tepes, and RAIR Foundation USA for subtitling. Translation by Fousesquawk.

Last Saturday, the Hague saw two huge protests against the government. One protest involved farmers who arrived in their tractors and trucks protesting the government's policies regarding nitrogen levels (as found in farm animal droppings). Farmers were being ordered to reduce their livestock, and there has even been talk of government expropriation of farms. This in a country where agriculture is vital.

The other protest involved climate activists protesting the government subsidies to fossil fuel industries. That required the use of water cannons to break up and several hundred were arrested.

Just days later, the country held provincial elections, and the surprise winner was the newly-formed BBB party (Boer-Burger Beveging- Farmer Citizen Movement), which advocated for farmers' rights. Winning at least 15 seats the party is suddenly the largest party in the Senate. You can read more in Gates of Vienna.

This raises serious questions for Premier Mark Rutte and the future of his cabinet. Already under fire, Rutte and his ministers saw this coming-or at least they should have. As usual, Rutte tried to put a happy face on it, congratulating the BBB, but this is not good news for him.