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Buitenweg, Kathalijne
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2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Equal rights for women in parties
A judgement passed by the highest Dutch court according to which the strictly Calvinist Political Reformed Party (SGP) may no longer forbid women access to political office has met with criticism in the country. The former Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg defends the ruling in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "It has major consequences when one accepts that the discrimination ban can be circumvented with appeals to religion or beliefs. In the case of the SGP women's passive right to vote is restricted with reference to a 'higher law', the Bible. ... A party has the right to call for the discrimination ban to be lifted or adapted. This is freedom of expression. The equal treatment of men and women within the democratic system is of key importance because the elected representatives make laws that apply to everyone. This is what makes political parties different from a football club or a chess club. Any party that wants to function within this system must obey the rules."
» more information (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Gender equality, » Netherlands
European energy policy
The European foreign ministers meet today to negotiate a joint stance vis-à-vis Moscow. The daily newspaper Trouw writes that as part of its strategy Europe needs to focus on developing a common energy policy: "But while Russia is using its state-owned energy companies to achieve its power-political aims, Europe is acting less cleverly. EU countries are competing with one another to sign oil and gas deals with Russia. This allows Russia to play European countries off against each other. ... After what happened in Georgia we can no longer close our eyes to Russia's 'divide and rule' policy. ... If there was a greater consensus in Europe the situation would be different. Russia heavily depends on the EU as a buyer for its gas. The gas pipelines run to Western Europe, not to China. But without a common external energy policy Europe remains in a weak position vis-à-vis those who control the gas supplies - despite the fact that this is a neighbour who has a dubious record."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Energy, » Europe
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