Will the Dutch elections this month follow the European trend? Voters in the EU countries lately seem to favour more conservative and right-wing parties. The revival of conservatism is positive, but it would be even better if that would go hand in hand with Christian values.
A right-wing wind is blowing through most European countries. More than ever before, Europeans are voting right-wing. Conservative parties are governing in countries like Italy, Germany, Finland, and earlier in Slovakia and Hungary. Poland recently elected a conservative president again. In France and the UK polls indicate gains for right-wing parties.
This “shift to the right” became particularly visible in the European Parliament elections just over a year ago. Among EU lawmakers, the Green and Leftist majority had to make way for a right-wing conservative majority last year. A good thing, as this creates a more realistic policy.
In the Netherlands a year ago, four mostly conservative parties formed a fragile coalition. This didn’t last long. Polls indicate that some parties may go up or down, but the country still has a conservative majority.
Where is this shift to the right coming from? Presumably, one could point at the problems with immigration and integration in Europe. Voters prefer a tougher approach. Five years ago, it would have been unthinkable that the EU would subsidize high border fences. Now it’s simply policy. A stricter European asylum and migration pact will take effect in two years.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is undoubtedly also a factor in the right-wing shift. A stronger defence is prominently featured in the platforms of more realistic, conservative parties.
Discontent with growing Brussels interference and the unrealistic Green Deal is likely to be a third reason for choosing conservative, more euro-critical parties.
Abortion
But contrary to the general belief, a more right-wing course doesn’t necessarily mean a more Christian policy. Unfortunately, the two do not always go hand in hand. For instance, Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally supports abortion rights – even though the right to life for the unborn is both a Christian value and a fundamental right.
Many right-wing parties in the European Parliament favour a trade agreement with countries like India. But they stay too silent when we request adding conditions about human rights in India, especially freedom of religion for the Christians that are discriminated and suppressed.
Right-wing parties often prefer to limit immigration but are not even prepared to make an exception for people who are persecuted for their religion (and worldwide Christians are the largest group of people persecuted for their religion).
Not to mention that President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission is very slow in re-appointing her EU-envoy for promoting the freedom of religion or believe: It is now almost a year without such an envoy. In her first term it took more than 2 years to fill this important vacancy!
Why is so little priority given to Christian affairs? This should be much higher on the political agenda! Today, the lack of Christian values is a problem in society. The values are not just a centuries old tradition. The values are tested lessons for a healthy society. They include basic respect for life and for each other, especially the poor and needy. Have mercy and live in good faith.
How to do this in practice? The best-known summary for the daily implementation are the Bible’s Ten Commandments. They prohibit to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery etc. What a wonderful society we would have if everybody would stick to these.
Not enough
Of course, as humble humans of flesh and blood it remains a challenge to live up to the commandments and values behind them. But the least we can do is to try to stick to these rules. That is a good first step. Secularisation has eradicated this ‘manual for a good lifestyle’. We see the problems in daily life.
To conclude, it is not enough to be conservative and keep what is good. It only makes sense if it goes hand in hand with Christian values.
My party SGP stands up for both conservatism and Christian values. In this sense we are unique in the Netherlands and probably Europe. Although we are small, our goal is big. We call on anyone to help revive the values, for the sake of society.
MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen
BERT-JAN RUISSEN is a Member of the European Parliament for Reformed Political Party (SGP).
