In the Netherlands, Esther and her very popular party for animals

Benelux letter

A party for the animals, what a funny idea. In 2006, when two elected members of the Partij voor de Dieren (PvdD, Party of the Animals) entered the Chamber of Deputies in The Hague, observers of the political world spoke of the good joke of Dutch voters. Voters, who admittedly never lack imagination to the point that the 150 elected members of the Tweede Kamer are now divided into… 21 different factions.

Sixteen years ago, before two animal advocates won the seat, their colleagues laughed. Did they come dressed as chickens? – asked one. Did they spread debris around their office to attract mice and thus “Feel at home” – asked the other. We also found their names, e.g “small” where “Animal Divas”.

However, over time, the fat laughter and sexist jokes stopped. And when Esther Ouhand, 46, recently questioned Liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte about his budget proposal, there was an unusual silence in an assembly where discussions are often very tense. Because the MP, the leader of his group, has built a solid reputation over the years.

His interventions, based on scientific data and accurate figures, his repeated warnings – before the pandemic – about the risks of zoonosis (transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans) or his denunciation of the abuse of very intensive animal husbandry in his country. (the world’s second-largest food exporter) noted the alcoholic beverages and silenced the sarcasm.

Numerous and detailed interpellations

In the second chamber, they say that the interpellations of M^I Ouwehand is so numerous and detailed that the Ministry of Agriculture had to mobilize two full-time officials to allow the competent minister to answer them.

On the day of the last budget debate, the MP tricked the ever-funny Mark Rutte into ground he had no taste for. Why didn’t he reduce the VAT on fruits and vegetables? Why hasn’t someone who says he’s concerned about the environment opposed trade deals leading to deforestation? And what were his recommendations for saving energy in social housing?

A focused Mr Rutte responded by saying that… Rutte, in particular, got away with it with a few pirouettes, pretensions and soundbites of humour. Congested m^I Ouhand rested his forehead on the table shelf. The photo went around the country And will undoubtedly help boost his party’s growing popularity, now in the polls with Christian Democrats and environmentalists.