Dutch right-wing leader shot

Pim Fortuyn, the leader of the Dutch Right-wing Party CDA, has been shot dead in Hilversum, Netherlands, on the eve of the general election on Wednesday 15th May. Fortuyn, a 53-year-old former sociology lecturer, was forecast to receive up to 15% of the vote in the election on Wednesday week, making his party, the Leefbaar Nederland (Livable Netherlands)the most voted party in the Netherlands. He was classified as one of Europe’s many new right-wing politicians as social issues such as immigration and public security grip the core of the European Union.

Fortuyn, however, said that the label of racism was a smear campaign launched by the liberal politicians, and claimed that all he wanted to do was to protect Dutch culture, which he felt was being threatened by a large number of immigrants, adding that he was not against other races as such.

Pim Fortuyn was shot six times in the head, neck and intestines as he left a radio station in Hilversum. He was left lying on the pavement for 15 minutes before ambulance crews tried to resuscitate him, without success.

The Dutch political pundits are questioning what the effect of this assassination will be on the forthcoming elections. Many of the political parties have stated that they are to suspend their election campaigns as a sign of respect, as messages of condolence and shock begin to arrive from abroad.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru