Dutch far-right MP Baudet resigns over racism row

Dutch far-right politician Thierry Baudet is standing down as leader of his own Forum for Democracy party after a long-running row over racism and anti-Semitism came to a head Monday evening.

“I’m giving up my spot on the electoral list,” Baudet said in a video message on Twitter, adding that he will stay on as an MP and wants to remain involved in the party. The Netherlands is going to the polls for a general election in March. Baudet said he might add himself back onto the electoral list at a later date, but not as the party’s main candidate.

Baudet was facing pressure from colleagues to take a firmer stance on racism after screenshots of anti-Semitic messages from members of the party’s youth group (JFvD) were published by newspaper Het Parool.

Forum for Democracy said in response to the leak that an unspecified number of youth members had been relieved of their duties.

Baudet had also announced an inquiry into the youth group to be led by two party insiders. But the move was criticized as “too little, too late” by senator and Amsterdam city councillor Annabel Nanninga, who called for the entire youth group to be disbanded.

It’s not the first time that the youth group has come under fire. Earlier this year, Forum for Democracy expelled three members and suspended three others for “unacceptable statements” made in online forums.

The party’s troubles come as its standing in the polls has taken a sharp dive, with many voters turned off by Baudet’s support for anti-lockdown activists and coronavirus conspiracy groups.

A recent poll projected the party would win around six seats if an election were to be held now, compared to 15 in February and 24 at the height of its popularity 18 months ago, when it took the largest vote share in provincial elections.