Pim Fortuyn

Dr. Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuijn, known as Pim Fortuyn (surname pronounced somewhat like for-TOYN, IPA: ), (February 19, 1948 – May 6, 2002), was a controversial politician in the Netherlands who formed his own party List Pim Fortuyn (LPF). He was assassinated during the 2002 Dutch national election campaign by Volkert van der Graaf, a white collar left-wing environmentalist. Fortuyn could perhaps best be described as a liberal right-wing populist, though some of his ideas were rather leftist; he was in favour of free public transportation and reducing the size of the Dutch military.

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Fortuyn was a focus of controversy for his views on Islam and his anti-immigration positions. He called Islam a backward culture and once said "if it were legally possible, I'd say no more Muslim should ever enter this country". He was labelled a far-right populist by his opponents and the media, but he fiercely rejected this label and distanced himself clearly from far-right politicians like in Filip Dewinter of Vlaams Blok, J?rg Haider of Austria or Jean-Marie Le Pen of France. Fortuyn could be considered a nationalist, but on cultural, rather than racial grounds.

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He had a flamboyant personality and was known for his open homosexuality.

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IPA: REDIRECT International Phonetic Alphabet...

February 19: February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 315 days remaining, 316 in leap years....

1948: 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar)....