Dutch Elections 2021: Meet The Woman Poised To Shake Up Dutch Politics
In a historic turn of events, former refugee Dilan Yeşilgöz is on the cusp of becoming the Netherlands’ first female prime minister after taking over from veteran Mark Rutte as leader of the VVD party. The latest POLITICO Poll of Polls shows Yeşilgöz and her liberal-conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy in joint first place ahead of the elections, as she aims to bring her bold vision for the country to life.
A fierce and determined negotiator, Yeşilgöz’s platform zeroes in on addressing the long-standing immigration issue, drawing from her own experiences as a refugee to shape her perspective. She is unapologetically passionate about tackling the influx of people and the challenges it poses for the nation, pledging to better support genuine refugees by addressing issues in the system such as inadequate reception facilities and housing shortages.
As a self-professed workaholic, she thrusts herself into her work as the country’s justice minister, effortlessly juggling her professional role with the demands of her personal life. Her open and relatable approach sets her apart from her predecessor, as she freely and candidly discusses her personal struggles and ambitions, highlighting a fresh and distinct voice in Dutch politics.
Yet despite her rising momentum, Yeşilgöz faces an uphill battle to secure her position as the next prime minister. With other parties closely vying for the top spot, a tight race ensues, signaling a potentially unprecedented shift in Dutch political leadership. However, as she stands poised for a historic win, the future of the EU will depend on Yeşilgöz’s stance on strengthening and maintaining the Dutch role as a reliable partner in the European Union.
If elected, she’ll be unyielding in upholding her vision to lead the Netherlands with integrity and strength, balancing a fair and strict approach to the EU to shape a secure and stable future for the country. As the electoral landscape continues to shape up, all eyes are on Yeşilgöz, the refugee-turned-political powerhouse, as she seeks to create a new path forward for the Netherlands.
