With all the hoopla that went on around here last week during the municipal elections, I think the people of Rotterdam were feeling a bit let-down at the thought of not having something exciting coming up in their immediate political future (the national elections are now scheduled for June 9th). So what is a Rotterdammer to do? Why have all this fun all over again it seems!
Rotterdam's Mayor has ordered a recount of the 220,000 votes cast during the municipal election last Wednesday, March 3rd. This recount (hertelling) is happening because there are allegations of irregularities in some of the polling stations. These irregularities include the possibility that individuals were allow to vote without showing their passports and where more than one person entered into a polling booth at the same time, both of which is also against the rules. It was also found that some votes for Leefbare Rotterdam were not originally counted (at least 100), that there is a possibility that some of the ballots could have been stolen, and there are rumours that voters were solicited at certain polling stations. Although the murmurings of discontent were relatively quiet in the day following the election the central government has bowed to popular and other party discontent (headed by Leefbare Rotterdam of course) and ordered the recount.
In last week's election the Labour party, the PvdA, won over the local populist and right-wing party Leefbaar Rotterdam. The margin however was extremely thin with PvdA succeeding to majority status by only 651 votes. I have to wonder how much this recount will change things considering both the Labour and the Leefbare Rotterdam party have 14 seats apiece on the 45-seat council. While I do not have a political science background, I can guess that if the parties remain at 14 seats each, that there will be some close debates throughout the next four years as these parties try and comprise their way through governing Rotterdam.
This recount is also seeing quite a lot of national attention because whoever turns out to be the winner gets to take the initiative in forging a new governing coalition. As the NRC website reports: "(a) tight race is then expected between some of the same players (at the national level), and the fractured electorate will make it extraordinarily difficult to forge a governing coalition at the national level". Thus, there is much at stake at this local election in both local and national fields.
The results of the recount will be made available in two days however there remains some doubt as to what this recount will in fact prove. The recent events have some calling for a return to the polls by Rotterdammers but I think this will depend on the outcome of the inquiry. For more information concerning the recount please see this link, the information from this particular post was taken from it.
Keep tuned to find out what happens with the recount! I wonder what we'll get up to next! Talk about keeping it exciting!
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