Voting for the first time: "I hope the left will fight for their positions"
For the first time, H. Saleh from Yemen is allowed to vote in the Netherlands. "It is an important right that I like to exercise," she says. "Finally I can have a say in my future and that of everyone in the Netherlands".
"I vote for a party that stands up for human rights, equality and climate"
With her voting card in hand, Saleh goes to the polling station. After her ID card is checked, she is given a voting form. The form lists 26 parties, each with their own views. With a red pencil, Saleh colors the box red for a person from a party she likes.
It was not easy for Saleh to choose 1 party out of those 26 parties. That is why she studied all the different positions well before the election. "I already knew I wanted to vote left. I will vote for a party that stands up for human rights, equality and the climate". Saleh also wants the new government to work on affordable healthcare, good education and solving the housing crisis.
Furthermore, Saleh is looking at what parties want in foreign affairs. "I want a party that ensures that the Netherlands has a just and strong position internationally," he said.
"Fortunately, voting in the Netherlands works differently than in Yemen".
In Yemen, Saleh also thought voting was important. "But there the elections were not transparent. You did not know whether what you voted for would eventually be reflected in the results. As a result, many people no longer believed in voting. And sometimes women were not even allowed to vote there. Fortunately, I was able to do that in my city. But I did not have any trust in the results".
In the process, elections in her home country were corrupt, Saleh says. "Parties sometimes paid people to vote for them, which makes the whole system unfair". She continues: "Fortunately, things are different in the Netherlands. Here it is clear how the vote was cast and how the votes are counted".
"The Dutch political system is quite complicated"
Saleh does think elections in the Netherlands could be even more inclusive. "The system here is quite complicated, with many parties and choices on the ballot paper". That is why she thinks it is a good idea to give newcomers more explanation on how to vote. "That way they know ahead of time what to expect at the polling station and they will not have any surprises".
"I am disappointed in the outcome"
A day after the election, when it appears that PVV has become the largest party, Saleh is "disappointed". "I expected the win somehow, because on the news I already saw that the party has a large group of followers. But I am not happy about it. I hope leftists will start fighting for their positions".