Brussels, 05/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - In many countries of the European Union, party chiefs are still in pursuit of the political alchemy that will allow them to triumph at the forthcoming European elections, but the Dutch lists are almost complete. Pim Fortuijn's party, however, has still to publish its list, and also outstanding are the list confirmations for the Christian Democrats and the Greens by their congresses, to take place on 14 February. The Netherlands, which formerly had 31 MEPs, will only have 27 in the next Parliament. Six MEPs will not be standing again: Christian Democrats Arie Oostlander and Wim van Velzen, Socialist Michiel van Hulten, Liberals Elly Plooij-van Gorsel and Marieke Sanders, and the Green Theo Bouwman. Here is an overview of the lists:
- Christen Democratisch Appel (CDA): the Christian Democrat list may be headed by Camiel Eurlings (30), currently a member of the Chamber of Representatives. He is followed, in this order, by: -the outgoing Maria Martens (49), theologian; -the outgoing Albert-Jan Maat (51); -Corien Wortmann-Kool (45), a Ministry of Transport official; -the outgoing Bert Doorn (55), lawyer; -former regional MP Lambert van Nistelrooij (51), who is highly active in social and healthcare fields; -businessman and regional MP Joop Post; -the outgoing Ria Oomen-Ruijtens (53), an MEP since 1989; -the outgoing Bartho Pronk (53), who entered the EP in 1979; -Parliamentary assistance Esther De Lange.
- Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA): the outgoing Max van den Berg (58), sociologist, leads the Socialist list, which also includes: -the outgoing Jan Marinus Wiersma (52), historian; -Edith Mastenbroek (28); -journalist Thijs Berman; the outgoing Ieke van den Burg (52), a trade unionist; -local MP Lily Jacobs.
- Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD): the outgoing Jules Maaten (43) heads the Liberal list. He is followed, in order, by: -the outgoing Jan Mulder (60), agronomist; -the outgoing Toine Manders (48), solicitor; -Jeanine Plasschaert (30); -the outgoing Herman Vermeer (46); -Marianne Kallen Morren (52), lawyer and regional MP; Han Ten Broeke (44); -Aly Wisse-Maat (50), farmer and rural development subsidy consultant.
- Groene Links: the Greens' list is likely to be led by the outgoing Joost Lagendlijk (46), followed by: -the outgoing Kathalijne Buitenweg (34); Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers (33), who led a Greenpeace forests campaign; -Bas Eickhout (27), scientist and climate project manager.
- Demokraten 66 (D'66): the left-wing Liberals may put forward the outgoing Johanna Boogerd-Quakk (60) and Sophie In t'Veld (40), a Committee of the Regions employee.
- Christen Unie (CU)/Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (SGP): the two orthodox protestant parties' joint list is headed by the outgoing Hans Blokland (60), an MEP since 1994, followed by the outgoing Bastiaan Belder (57) and Peter van Dalen, a Ministry of Transport aviation inspector.
- Socialistische Partij (SP): the outgoing Erik Meijer (59) will stand again.