CDA MP Eline Vedder was “deeply hurt” that her phone number was published online on Wednesday. He is now receiving “non-stop calls and texts”. Politicians reacted angrily and called the sharing of data before the debate over the farm agreements distasteful.
Vedder will speak on Thursday on behalf of the CDA during a landmark debate over the failed farm agreement.
The farmers’ organization, the Peasants’ Defense Force, called for a demonstration in The Hague on Thursday. The FDF has focused on social media in particular the CDA for some time, sometimes with threatening words. “CDA will revoke the cabinet. They don’t know it yet, but we do,” FDF leader Mark van den Oever said in a recent video.
According to politicians, the phone number was shared by Van den Oever himself or his supporters. The FDF foreman denied this NO, but he also said he had “no pity” for the beleaguered politicians. “I didn’t have anything to do with it, but I don’t regret it either. They can tell they are fine, that’s what the phones are for.”
Rutte: ‘Pure, pure bullying, so cowardly’
Vedder has since been inundated with so-called “advice,” the CDA member’s tweets. “And what happens if the advice is not followed.”
According to Prime Minister Mark Rutte, publishing CDA lawmakers’ phone numbers online was “pure, pure intimidation”. He called the act “absolutely cowardly” and called it an “idiot”.
“What a pathetic attempt at intimidation, far across the border,” wrote the minister and Vedders party colleague Hugo de Jonge on social media. “None of the CDA members were impressed by this. And no farmer benefits from this.”
CDA party chief Pieter Heerma spoke of “bullying assholes”. Wopke Hoekstra party leader called the act reprehensible and unacceptable. “Putting out figures to intimidate people is going beyond decency. Stop it.”
Yesilgöz: ‘Disgusting, intimidating and cowardly’
Other politicians also spoke up. “Intimidation of CDA MPs by the FDF is incomprehensible and cannot be tolerated,” said D66 leader and minister, Sigrid Kaag. Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgöz called the act “disgusting, intimidating and cowardly”.
Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks) disapproves of “pure bullying”. VVD Member of Parliament Thom van Campen spoke of “disgusting calls”. ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker said in a debate on Wednesday night: “I’m very angry about this.”
Farmers are more likely to visit politicians at home
Many politicians say they have been increasingly threatened and intimidated in recent years. Various ministers and members of parliament have also visited their homes in the vicinity of the farmers’ protests.
Sharing data on social media for the purpose of harassment is called “doxing”. The DPR and the Cabinet want to criminalize this.
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