Contribution of New Communist Party of the Netherlands

Dear comrades,

Firstly, we would like to thank the TKP for organising this important teleconference. We are participating in this conference at a difficult time for Europe and the world. Imperialist contradictions are intensifying, wars continue unabated, and European capital is openly preparing its latest attack on the living standards of the working class.

The outgoing Dutch government has decided to embrace NATO's 5% standard and has already started investing more money in the war economy. This investment in war equipment, military personnel and infrastructure will be accompanied by further dismantling of social rights, tax increases and other attacks on the working class. As ‘our own’ NATO chief Mark Rutte has already said, the money will be taken from pensions, healthcare and other social achievements. So not from big capital, whose interests must be defended with this war economy.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections on 29 October, the election circus in the Netherlands has begun. Some parties are more open about how they are going to present the bill for the war economy to us. Where there is consensus, from so-called “left-wing” to so-called “right-wing” parties, is the unbridled enthusiasm for expanding the army and encouraging young people from the working class to take up jobs in defence.

Representatives of the army visit vocational schools to attract teenagers with high salaries, good working conditions and bourgeois patriotism. Once in the ranks of the army, they are prepared to be sacrificed on the battlefield on the altar of capital’s profits. An act eagerly prepared for by, for example, pushing for further escalation with Russia by shooting down Russian drones in Polish airspace with Dutch F-35 fighter jets, stationing anti-aircraft weapons in Poland and pumping money into the Ukrainian war industry.

The current cabinet is also working on a bill that attempts to sideline civil liberties, labour and environmental laws, the so-called “Defence Readiness Act”. In the area of nature and the environment, the Ministry of Defence will be given more leeway to fly at lower altitudes, shoot more, and transport and store ammunition and hazardous substances. One of the reasons given by bourgeois parties for the lack of housing being built is the need to comply with EU directives on nature conservation. These directives may also be set aside under this law, which in the long term will also result in even fewer houses being built. This is while reactionary politicians are once again going full throttle in the run-up to the elections about how refugees and migrants are preventing the native population from renting or buying affordable housing.

In addition, this law further restricts civil liberties. Public consultation procedures are being abolished, it is becoming impossible to object to political decisions and, to top it all off, the army is being given extensive powers to collect and process personal data and to share it with foreign powers. The law is also an attack on the labour rights of defence personnel. Parts of the Defence Civil Servants Act can be declared inapplicable. This calls into question rules and agreements on working hours, income, leave, safety regulations, healthcare and participation, among other things.

Despite the “hardened” rhetoric of certain bourgeois parties, support for Israel and its genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza continues. Arms contracts are not being terminated and terminally ill Gazan children are being left to their fate instead of being helped in Dutch hospitals. The government is hiding behind proposed EU sanctions instead of taking action itself and still does not dare to call the genocide in Gaza genocide.

Amidst all these events, it is inspiring and hopeful to see groups within the largest trade union in the Netherlands organising themselves to oppose all this warmongering. Take “Doctors for Gaza”, “Trade union members in solidarity with Palestine” and the latest initiative “FNV for Peace”. Trade union members are increasingly finding common ground in the struggle for peace. Students have already forced universities to sever ties with Israel.

The working class is also making its voice heard more and more on the streets. The largest demonstrations in the Netherlands since the 1980s have been organised, something that has not happened since the anti-nuclear protests of that time.

The perspective therefore lies in this struggle, the struggle of the proletariat for peace and socialism. We have nothing to gain from an imperialist war and everything to lose.  As the NCPN, we will continue to organise in trade unions, peace committees and educational institutions to turn the tide of capitalist destruction and imperialist warmongering. We have nothing to gain from an imperialist war and everything to lose.