THE HAGUE: Shutting the Netherlands down on Sundays, protecting an African language and living a work-free life are some of the more offbeat policies being put forward by Dutch parties ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
A whopping 21 parties are contesting parliament’s 150 seats in the election, the second in just over two years after government collapsed in April over a disagreement on European Union austerity measures.
Should they get their say, the conservative Reformed Political Party (SGP), which currently has two seats in the Lower House, wants to close all shops on Sundays in order for citizens “to go to church.”
The party, which bases itself on strict Christian principles and has never had a woman in parliament since its founding in 1918, advocates a “no work” Sunday, unless the work is an act of charity or an essential service.
In an ideal world the SGP would also like to see an end to Sunday matches that are watched religiously at stadiums and in sitting rooms around the football-mad country because they mean police officers “have to work,” a party official told AFP.
Dutch vote spawns offbeat ideas
