Dutch rebel against environmental autocracy with ‘earthquake’ vote

The Dutch people last week issued a referendum on the government’s harsh climate mandates in a shock provincial vote.

The Farmer-Citizen Movement, or BoerburgerBeweging (BBB), was established in 2019 in response to the Netherlands government’s plan to “fight climate change” by restricting food production and putting farmers out of business.

The climate regulations are expected to destroy 30% of the country’s farms by placing caps on ammonia and nitrogen oxide, which are found in livestock urine and feces. Compliance with the government's "nitrogen crisis" would mean many farmers losing their livelihoods, including those who produce mostly organic meat. The government is also on its way to buying out and shutting down 3,000 farms.

“The honest message . . . is that not all farmers can continue their business,” said the government according to ABC, and those who do will need to rethink how. 

Demonstrations swept the Netherlands last year to protest the climate regulations, with farmers setting bales of hay ablaze and spreading manure along highways. Many blocked distribution centers for supermarkets and video footage show scuffles between the farmers and undercover police at The Hague. 

Dutch police met the protesters with violent — and even lethal — force, shooting at farmers and nearly killing a minor. 

Last week, the BBB shocked the country with a resounding win in provincial elections. The party won 15 senate seats representing 20% of the senate, setting it on course to become the largest party in the Dutch senate.

This surprise outcome — described by Dutch commentator Ben Coates as an “earthquake” in Dutch politics — appears to have irked media outlets, who are now suggesting the party is “a right-wing, populist party that was quite anti-EU, anti-immigration and in favour of banning burkas for Muslims.”

Nearly all mainstream news outlets, in fact, are attempting to cast the BBB as a “populist right-wing” faction, despite the party’s simple mission to represent rural and agrarian voters.

“We are all normal people and all the people who voted for us are normal citizens,” BBB Leader Caroline Van der Plas said in a victory speech.

“Normally, if people no longer trust the government, they stay home,” she added. “Today they showed they don’t want to stay at home — they want their voices to be heard.”