2002 Dutch general election


General elections were held in the Netherlands on 15 May 2002. The elections were amongst the most dramatic in Dutch history, not just in terms of the electoral results, as they were completely overshadowed by the assassination of leader Pim Fortuyn only nine days before election day.
In 1998, twice as many voters as in 1994 credited the government with improving their finances, and clear majorities approved its record, rendering the 1998 election virtually a formality. The Labour Party climbed from 24 to 29 percent of the vote and the incumbent purple coalition from 92 to 97 seats, enabling a second Kok cabinet with Labour, VVD and D66. The strong economy was expected to suffice again in 2002. In 2000, speculation surrounded whether prime minister Wim Kok, who had passed the age of 61, would seek a third term. Although three-quarters of Labour supporters still preferred him, senior figures urged renewal. Ad Melkert's 2001 spring congress speech cast him as Kok's heir despite limited public enthusiasm; only 16 percent of voters endorsed him. Kok resigned as Labour Party leader on 15 December 2001, citing a need for generational change, and formally passed leadership to Melkert.
On 20 August 2001, Pim Fortuyn, an outspoken critic of Islam, announced his candidacy, initially as lead candidate for Livable Netherlands. After a Volkskrant interview on 9 February 2002 in which he called Islam and criticized the constitution of the Netherlands, LN expelled him. Fortuyn promptly founded the Pim Fortuyn List and, while simultaneously heading Livable Rotterdam, secured a victory in the 6 March municipal elections, ending Labour's post-WWII supremacy in the city. National polls thereafter placed LPF close to the CDA and Labour, as established parties faltered in televised debates. Although threats escalated, Fortuyn rejected protection and, on 6 May 2002, was assassinated in Hilversum by Volkert van der Graaf. After the assassination, campaigning paused and the CDA secured a frontrunner position, thanks to the refusal of its leader, Jan Peter Balkenende, to criticize Fortuyn and emphasis on "norms and values." Late media focus on CDA momentum influenced late-deciding voters and helped the CDA outperform polls by a 12-seat margin.
The purple coalition parties Labour, VVD, and D66 all lost heavily, Labour enduring a record 22-seat loss under Melkert, who resigned that night. The CDA improved in every province, securing pluralities in all except Groningen. CDA gains in urban cities were more muted; the LPF secured pluralities in The Hague and Rotterdam while Labour retained Amsterdam. Labour inquiries blamed an excessively economistic message; party leadership was democratized and in November, members elected Wouter Bos parliamentary leader. Negotiations produced a CDA-LPF-VVD accord prioritising security, healthcare, and tighter immigration; the first Balkenende cabinet assumed office on 22 July.

Background

Incumbent coalition wins re-election (1998)

By 1998, twice as many voters as in 1994 believed that the government's performance had positively impacted their personal financial situations. Moreover, clear majorities — 58% regarding economic policy and 62% concerning employment — expressed favourable views of the government's handling of these key issues. This widespread confidence rendered the 1998 election almost a formality; public satisfaction was so pronounced that a continuation of the existing government appeared inevitable. As a result, all of the purple coalition parties, with the exception of D66, saw notable electoral gains during the general election of 6 May 1998. Prime minister Wim Kok's party, the Labour Party, won 29% of the vote, up from 24% in 1994, whereas his coalition went from 92 to 97 seats.
The formation resulted in the continuation of the Kok cabinet with the second Kok cabinet, consisting of the PvdA, VVD and D66, even though the latter was not necessary for a majority of 76 seats. Approaching the 2002 election, the coalition partners, particularly VVD and the Labour Party, anticipated replicating their earlier success by building their campaigns around the strong economic record that had served them so well in 1998.

Wim Kok's resignation (2000–2001)

In 2000, speculation abounded regarding the political future of party leader and Prime Minister Wim Kok, who had by then passed the age of 61. In May, he announced he would decide the following year whether to continue as Prime Minister for a third term. In December, speaker of the House J. van Nieuwenhoven publicly suggested that Kok's time as Prime Minister had run its course and named Ad Melkert as a suitable successor. However, this view was not widely shared among the party's base; a poll by Intomart showed that roughly three quarters of Labour voters still preferred Kok to lead the party in the next election. Opinions within the party remained divided. Former minister Ed van Thijn publicly argued that Kok should step aside, even at the cost of electoral losses. In contrast, Minister Jan Pronk and chair candidate Olij supported Kok's continuation. Kok, for his part, remained noncommittal, stating he was not automatically a candidate for the 2002 election.
At the 2001 spring party congress, Melkert delivered a political speech that positioned him, in the eyes of many party members, as Kok's natural successor. He championed a vision of a more democratic society, contrasting liberal individualism with a renewed sense of community, asking whether society should be "every person for themselves, or do we do it together?". Party chairman Koole, recently elected, urged that leadership not be decided by acclamation but through a meaningful choice. In a May interview, Melkert openly criticised Kok's ideological leadership, suggesting that after shedding the legacy of Joop den Uyl, Kok failed to offer a compelling new vision. He also questioned Kok's handling of the 1991 WAO crisis, though he praised the Prime Minister's pragmatism. Despite affirming his good relationship with Kok, Melkert stood by his critique. Nonetheless, public support for him remained limited. A poll in July 2001 showed only 16% of voters viewed him as a suitable successor, while most still preferred Kok.
On 24 August,, a columnist for Trouw, criticized the assumption that Melkert, simply by leading the largest party in parliament, was the logical next Prime Minister, calling the situation absurd and precarious. He noted the artificiality of Melkert's rise, crafted by advisors and reliant on scripted speeches, and argued that Melkert lacked both popular appeal and the political stature Kok accumulated over years. Despite a well-received speech at the spring congress, which swayed party opinion, Van Doorn remained skeptical, pointing out the scripted nature of the speech and the vulnerability of Melkert's image. He highlighted controversies from Melkert's past ministerial work, including issues with EU funds and the underwhelming results of the Melkertbanen. The article concluded by questioning whether a well-rehearsed speech alone qualifies one to lead a country.
On 29 August 2001, two days after the King's Commission released its report on the European Social Fund, clearing Melkert of wrongdoing, Kok announced his resignation, stating he had no further career plans, despite speculation about a potential European role, such as President of the European Commission. In his letter to the party leadership, Kok emphasised his desire to step aside in time for a younger generation to lead. His departure was met with broad respect from political leaders across the spectrum, though parties like the Christian Union and the Reformed Political Party expressed criticism over policies such as euthanasia legislation and same-sex marriage. D66 leader Thom de Graaf hailed Kok as a "statue of integrity and solidity," while former US President Bill Clinton praised him as a pioneer of the Third Way. On 30 August, at a party gathering in Doorn, Melkert officially put himself forward as Kok's successor. On 15 December 2001, at the Labour Party congress, Kok passed the political leadership to Melkert, endorsing him as his rightful heir, while expressing melancholy at the end of his tenure.

Developments in junior coalition parties (1998–2001)

  • People's Party for Freedom and Democracy : In early July 1998, after eight years at the helm of the VVD parliamentary grouplonger than any leader except the party's founder, Pieter OudFrits Bolkestein decided to step aside. He believed the party would benefit from "new dynamism and a fresh spirit." On 30 July 1998, he formally stepped down as chair of the parliamentary group. At his recommendation, the group elected Hans Dijkstal as his successor, with Clemens Cornielje appointed vice-chair. Although he resigned from the leadership position, Bolkestein did not immediately leave the political stage, choosing to remain active in the House of Representatives until the end of 1999.
  • Democrats 66 : On 1 August 1998, D66 held a meeting in Utrecht to discuss the cabinet formation, with general satisfaction about the coalition agreement. Els Borst, the party's lead candidate in 1998, stated that Thom de Graaf would succeed her. Despite holding 14 seats, D66 polled at just 8 by 2001. In November 2000, a Candidate Advisory Committee was formed to vet candidates for the 2002 election. Three people ran for the lead candidate role: De Graaf, Westerouen van Meeteren, and Van Nieuwenhuyzen. On 17 November 2001, De Graaf won decisively. In his speech, he praised D66's role in the purple coalition but acknowledged errors, including forced municipal mergers. He called for a slimmer, more accountable government and criticised Fortuyn for his harsh rhetoric on refugees.

    Developments in opposition parties (1999–2002)

  • Christian Democratic Appeal : On 27 September 2001, party chairman Marnix van Rij resigned due to a fundamental disagreement with parliamentary leader Jaap de Hoop Scheffer over the election campaign strategy. Van Rij viewed De Hoop Scheffer as too passive and ideologically vague. Tensions rose over candidate list rankings and leadership ambitions, with Van Rij eventually declining further candidacy. De Hoop Scheffer accused him of pursuing the party leadership through resignation. Though the party board tried to reconcile them, De Hoop Scheffer withdrew as leader, citing a loss of confidence. He stepped down as parliamentary leader on 1 October. The board rejected Van Rij's leadership proposal and unanimously nominated Jan Peter Balkenende as the new lead candidate, citing his experience and vision. Balkenende was confirmed in November. One of Balkenende's first moves was to announce his party would seek a harsher stance against immigration; post-election analysis has considered this decisive given the hindsight that immigration would become a key issue.
  • GroenLinks : On 17 January 2002, GroenLinks announced its candidate list, led by Paul Rosenmöller, who reprised his role as lead candidate. Unexpectedly, the second spot went to Femke Halsema instead of vice-chair Vos. Former co-leaders Mohamed Rabbae and Tom Pitstra were removed; the committee criticised Pitstra's solo conduct, particularly on Afghanistan. Rabbae reacted with outrage and threatened to resign. Party members, including Roel van Duijn, supported preference campaigns to reinstate them, though Van Duijn was also deemed unsuitable for a seat. MP Van der Steenhoven was placed 13th, likely unelectable; Hermann did not seek re-election. Most MPs received viable positions, though Ab Harrewijn's 11th spot was uncertain. Environmentalist Wijnand Duyvendak was among four newcomers likely to win seats. The list was approved on 9 February with very few changes.
  • Christian Union : In 1999, young members of the Reformed Political League and Reformatory Political Federation founded a platform named Trans-Formatie, criticising their parties' merger talks as too businesslike and lacking inspiration. They called for a Christian, green, progressive, and social direction. Their proposal to omit traditional confessions from the new party's foundation caused controversy. Meanwhile, surveys showed strong support among both parties' members for a joint candidate list and election programme, despite concerns about evangelical inclusion. On 21 October, the parties announced plans to politically unite under a shared program and list, forming a new union while keeping separate financial and membership policies. On 22 January 2000, both parties approved the union, which would be called ChristenUnie, aiming for eventual full integration while allowing gradual organisational cooperation. Former GPV senator Kars Veling would be the lijsttrekker in 2002.
  • Socialist Party : In December 1999, the party council focused on implementing decisions from that year's congresses: one on party organisation, the other on the new manifesto. In June 2000, it called for an evaluation, resulting in the report Van wens naar werkelijkheid, discussed in local branches and regional conferences. Members criticised a proposal to offer discounts on books and videos to boost engagement, prompting the party board to withdraw it. On 16 December 2000, the council approved improvement measures, including abolishing underperforming districts and replacing them with six regions. On 23 June 2001, the party council unanimously nominated Jan Marijnissen to reprise his role as lead candidate in 2002. No candidates ran against him.
  • Reformed Political Party : In 2001, the SGP continued its fierce opposition to the second Kok cabinet, particularly over the euthanasia law. Internally, the party debated whether to adopt a tougher stance; some warned against being too confrontational. The longstanding issue of women's membership resurfaced when R. Grabijn filed a complaint with the Equal Treatment Commission, which ruled it lacked authority. Internationally, the UN urged the Dutch government to end the SGP's exclusion of women. A majority of Dutch citizens opposed the party's stance. Locally, SGP councillors refused to support female candidates. Senator Holdijk later stated he had no objection to women serving as aldermen, calling the issue overblown. Bas van der Vlies would reprise his role as lead candidate.