The Entrepreneurs' Party (Dutch: OndernemersPartij, pronounced [ˌɔndərˈneːmərspɑrˌtɛi]; OP) was a political party in the Netherlands founded on 22 April 2015.[2] The founder and political leader of the party is Hero Brinkman, who was in the House of Representatives for the Party for Freedom from 2006 to 2012.
Entrepreneurs' Party OndernemersPartij | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | OP |
| Leader | Hero Brinkman |
| Chairperson | Martine Gaasbeek |
| Founder | Hero Brinkman |
| Founded | 22 April 2015 |
| Dissolved | 2019[1] |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatismEntrepreneurs' interests |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Website | |
| ondernemerspartij | |
The party took part in the 2017 House of Representatives elections, but did not win a seat with 0.12% of the votes. A striking name on the candidate list was radio DJ Patrick Kicken.[3] Initially, former DSB Bank director Dirk Scheringa was also going to participate in the elections,[4] but he was expelled in March 2016 when he had not paid his contributions.[5] After the party failed to win a single seat, it was dissolved.[6]
Ideology
editAs the name suggests, the party stood up for the interests of entrepreneurs. Their views were therefore mainly in line with this:[6]
- VAT reduction to 19%
- Reduce fuel taxes by 25 cents
- Continued payment of sick employees from 2 years to 3 months
- Unemployment benefits for self-employed persons and sole proprietorships
- Abolition of deductible for basic care
- Burden reduction for informal caregivers
- Competition from the government towards health insurers
- Involvement from companies in connection with the requirements of internships
- Abolition of the student loan system and the introduction of a performance-related grant
- State pension age back to 65
Election results
editHouse of Representatives
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12,570[7] | 0.12% | 0 / 150
|
New |
References
edit
- ^ "Opgeheven politieke partijen" [Dissolved political parties]. Parlement.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Van de Zilver, Marieke (22 April 2015). "Hero Brinkman presenteert Ondernemers Partij" [Hero Brinkman presents Entrepreneurs' Party]. The Post Online (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Van Hoof, Jean (8 December 2016). "Patrick Kicken op lijst Ondernemerspartij Kamerverkiezingen" [Patrick Kicken on list Entrepreneurs' Party House of Representatives elections]. 1limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Scheringa sluit zich aan bij partij Brinkman" [Scheringa joins Brinkman's party]. NOS (in Dutch). 22 September 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Hero Brinkman zet oud-bankier Scheringa uit partij" [Hero Brinkman kicks former banker Scheringa out of party]. De Volkskrant (in Dutch). 24 March 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Ondernemerspartij (OP)". Parlement.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Kerngegevens Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2017" [Core data House of Representatives election 2017] (PDF). Kiesraad (in Dutch). 15 March 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2023.