Socialist Party (Netherlands)

The Socialist Party (Dutch: Socialistische Partij) is a socialist party in the Netherlands. It was founded in October 1971 as a Maoist party named 'Communist Party of the Netherlands (marxist-leninist) (Kommunistiese Partij Nederland (marxisties-leninisties)). KPN(ml) was formed following a split from the Communist Unity Movement of the Netherlands (marxist-leninist) (KEN(ml)). The issue that provoked the split from KEN(ml) was an intense debate on the role of intellectuals in the class struggle. The founders of KPN(ml), led by Daan Monjé, belonged to the 'Proletarian' wing of the KEN(ml), who did not what an organisation dominated by students and intellectuals. In 1972 KPN(ml) changed its name to the Socialist Party.

Related Topics:
Dutch - Socialist party - Netherlands - 1971 - Maoist - Communist Unity Movement of the Netherlands (marxist-leninist) - Class struggle - Daan Monjé - 1972

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In 1991, the party officially abandoned Marxism-Leninism (although this practise had ceased many year earlier). In 1994 the party's first members of parliament were elected and in 1999 it had one member elected to the European Parliament, with another one in 2004. It is now the Netherland's fourth largest political party by seats and the third largest by members. The party leader is Jan Marijnissen.

Related Topics:
1991 - Marxism-Leninism - 1994 - 1999 - European Parliament - 2004 - Jan Marijnissen

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In the 1990s, the major leftist party, the Labour Party (PvdA), moved to the centre, thus making the SP and GroenLinks (GreenLeft) viable alternatives for some left-wing voters. The SP's former protest slogan 'Vote Against' was changed to 'Vote For' when they realised the possibility of getting into government. Leading up to the 2003 elections, the SP was predicted to win as much as 24 seats in the polls. These gains failed to materialise however, as many potential SP voters chose to cast strategic votes for the Labour Party (PvdA), who stood a good chance of winning the elections. In 2005 the SP again rose above 20 seats in the polls and this was partly due to the fact that the party was one of the few opposing the European constitution, a position which divided many on the left. Some weeks after the EU constitution referendum the party had dropped just slightly in the polls.

Related Topics:
PvdA - GroenLinks - 2003 - European constitution

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The Socialist Party MEPs sit in the European United Left - Nordic Green Left group.

Related Topics:
MEP - European United Left - Nordic Green Left

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Number of seats in the Tweede Kamer, of the 150 total:

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• 1994 - 2
• 1998 - 5
• 2002 - 9
• 2003 - 9

In February 2004 the SP lost one seat when Ali Lazrak was put out of the party and consequently became a one-member faction. Party members who have an income through their membership (eg through a seat in parliament) are required to donate that salary to the party. Lazrak refused to do that.

Related Topics:
2004 - Ali Lazrak

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Socialist Party (Netherlands): Parliament ►