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| | Netherlands: Dutch general elections - a lost opportunity for the Socialist Party |
 | | On this occasion, all the smaller parties had to contend with the pulling power of the two main established parties, the CDA and PvdA, which were engaged in a tight race to become the largest party in parliament. |
 | | However in spite of the brave face of SP party leader, Marijnissen, when the election results were announced on 22 January, it became clear that the party had gained no extra seats at all. |
 | | As a principled socialist opposition to whatever new right wing coalition is formed, including mobilising working people, the poor, the unemployed and the discriminated against minorities, against cuts and war, the SP could have begun the struggle to make further considerable electoral gains win an overall majority by the next elections. |
| www.socialistworld.net /eng/2003/01/29netherlands.html (2621 words) |
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