Marijnissen (SP): “We only participate in the cabinet that addresses inequality” | Currently

The Socialist Party has always been an opposition party, but this time that must change – if it is up to party leader Lillian Marijnesen. Marijnesen tells in a conversation with NU.nl what the party wants to fight for and what its ideal alliance is. “Ultimately you want everyone in the Netherlands to have an equal opportunity.”

The Socialist Party fell sharply in local council elections and the European Parliament. Will it expire or under?
“Well, whether it’s something specific or less of it. I don’t feel that way. I see a lot of opportunities, because they come our way politically on many issues. For example in the areas of fairer wages, tackling the increase in rents, and investing more in safety.” Education, market forces in healthcare. These have been all SP points for years. There was always a different way of thinking, and now you see more and more parties saying, ‘There is something in it.’

So why doesn’t success seem to be walking your way? In the polls you stand for ten seats.
“Don’t be silly, but it should be shown on March 17th.”

An important spearhead for SP is stopping market forces in healthcare and a higher salary for nurses. During the Corona crisis, all eyes are focused on this sector. So why aren’t the voters flocking to you now?
“As a service provider, we get things done. The closure of nursing homes was a really fatal mistake in our opinion. That is why we are suggesting community care centers in our area and you see that there is more and more support for this. But that is only with words.”

“This might make people think that other party care is also in good hands, but I would also like to warn people in all fairness. You really don’t fall for it. Take the care pay increase, for example. We fought hard for it. In the end. Our proposal has been passed, but you still have the CDA and VVD who ignore it. “

However, it should hurt that these changes in ideas do not result in success for the service provider.
“Of course it would be more fun to campaign if you were at the polls making a big buck. But I am convinced that it will come our way. You see change in many areas, but I also understand that somewhere. People now in the midst of the major Corona crisis, think : Mark Rota has been there for ten years and we have to get through this crisis. But the point is: With Mark Rota you get a VVD as a gift. “

“A number of our thoughts are also taken up in words and that almost leads to a suggestion: Well, we all agree. We’re in crisis, together we have shoulders underneath. I think that’s really the greatest nonsense there is. Be aware: we’ll have a fortified state right away and then it will be “It’s about who pays the bill. Well, you can bet the political differences are going to be enormous.”

How many seats are you aspiring to?
“I still say: profit. Now we have fourteen, so all that more is profit. I think that would be very cool.”

In current polls, the SP is 10th. Where are your potential constituents?
“I think we are a party wide; you can also see that in our members: from store employees to bus drivers and from engineers to professors. There are a lot of people in the Netherlands who want it to be fairer.”

So why then are they voting for SP?
“Because I think SP can make a difference not only in ideas, but also in the way it works. An example of this is the benefits issue. We had a reporting point and it became clear that it was not just a small group of parents, but that the system is much bigger than the parents. In addition to hotlines, we also offer free legal aid to people. This is how we work together on an ongoing basis. A large SP is the best guarantee that we will get out of this crisis socially. ”

The Socialist Party has always been an opposition party. Do you want coordination?
“Yes, we did.”

This should then be done using the VVD.
“They are at the bottom of the list. I think it would be very good for the Netherlands to have a government without a VVD.”

Lilian Marijnissen (SP), Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks) and Lodewijk Asscher (former PvdA leader) are among thousands of shoes in Malieveld during National Sponsorship Day.

What would be your ideal alliance?
“One contravenes the politics of past years. This breaks with the widening of the division, and breaks with the economic idea that everyone will do well if the summit does well. It means investing more in the public sector. If I were responsible, I would be the first to invite the parties that want to do.” That with us. “

Which parties are they?
“Then you first look at the sides on the left: PvdA and GroenLinks. Of course, we use this regularly when it comes to the important topics.”

You turned down a ballot box agreement offer made by Jesse Clapper (GroenLinks).
“I strongly support working together if we can agree on something and gain a fist together. Then you should think, for example, about not abolishing the dividend tax. I think we have shown that correctly in recent years. But also that we can cooperate on points. With other parties, such as ChristenUnie, with the regulation of labor migration, and with the CDA, with the reopening of protected workshops. “

What is the breaking point for SP during formation?
“I think you have to talk about everything if you ultimately want to take shape. You cannot achieve what you want 100 percent. But I cannot imagine participating in a government that does not address inequality in the Netherlands.”

Is this disparity the most important aspect to you?
“Yes. Ultimately you want everyone in the Netherlands to have an equal opportunity. When you see that children grow up in a family where there is so little money that they cannot go to school with breakfast or play sports, I think this is not the case. A rich country like the Netherlands. “