Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| "We'll close down the masajid" |
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| Kashif |
| 10/09/00 at 12:11:49 |
| Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has played down the major gains made by the far-right Vlaams Blok party in local elections held on Sunday. Vlaams Blok won 33% of the votes in Belgium's second largest city Antwerp and is now the biggest party in two major Belgian cities. Mr Verhofstadt called the result "a stain", but said Vlaams Blok had performed poorly compared with the 1999 general election. He admitted he had been surprised by the gains, but said the result showed the majority of Antwerp's voters had not voted for the party. Belgium's other political parties have also reiterated their pledge never to form a coalition with the Vlaams Blok, which advocates repatriation for immigrants. Non-cooperation Mr Verhoftstadt welcomed their stance, and said their policy of non-cooperation would eventually ensure Vlaams Blok's disappearance. Vlaams Blok's leader, Filip Dewinter, attacked their agreement - known as the cordon sanitaire - as undemocratic and accused his rivals of insulting the electorate. Mr Dewinter is also threatening to disrupt business in Antwerp's city assembly if his party is not recognised. "I think that the so-called democratic parties, if they are really democratic, have to step aside and offer the winning party,the chance to govern this city," said Mr Dewinter. Some fear the increase in support for the Vlaams Blok could lead other parties to adopt similarly right-wing policies in an attempt to emulate its success. Far-right policies At last year's general election, the Vlaams Blok became the third largest party in the economically powerful region of Flanders, which it argues should become a separate Flemish state. The elections have been keenly watched by the EU. Vlaams Blok's manifesto includes plans to close down mosques, and institute separate schools for the children of immigrants who have failed to integrate. The party and its supporters also want an immediate end to all immigration to Belgium, which they say is clearly linked with crime. The polls were seen as a key test of support for the party, which has seen a huge rise in popularity in local and general elections during the last 10 years. Filip Dewinter says he has been inspired by the example of Austria, where the far-right Freedom Party was invited to join the government coalition. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_963000/963130.stm |
| NS |
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