Things are not good for prime minister and CDA party leader Balkenende. Although he still has the official support of the party, rumblings are starting among the rank and file. Besides, a serious successor has made his way to the top.
A while ago I reported that a CDA backbencher expressed her doubts about Balkenende, doubts that were mirrored by the provincial party barons. It’s time for an update.
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Oh my, the new Peil.nl poll
has landed two days early. I’ve added it to the polls page.
The timing is surprising, the content isn’t. Basically it confirms Thursday’s poll
in that the PvdA wins five seats, of which one comes from the right, two from D66, and one each
from GL and SP. The centre-left PvdA+CDA+D66 coalition does not yet have a majority in this poll,
but does win two seats.
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The past few weeks have not been easy for prime minister and CDA party leader Balkenende.
The next weeks promise to be worse.
Balkenende had his fourth government blown up beneath him by the PvdA, and the CDA was
generally seen as the culpable party. Although he was reconfirmed as party leader with remarkable
speed, he was also critcised for that from day one. Besides, one CDA prominent after another
is leaving politics.
Balkenende’s position is getting worse and worse.
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