12 TURKISH CANDIDATES TO RUN IN NOV. 22 DUTCH ELECTIONS
By Cihan News Agency

Zaman Online, Turkey
Nov 21 2006

Twelve candidates of Turkish origin from seven different parties will
run in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands.

In September, three Turkish candidates had been previously expelled
from their parties because of their refusal to accept recognition of
an Armenian genocide.

The Turkish candidates are running for the Christian Democrats (CDA),
the Labor Party (PvdA), Democrat 66 party (D’66), Liberal Party (VVD)
and several smaller right-wing parties.

Approximately 12 million Dutch will vote for 150 members of the
chamber of deputies on Wednesday.

None of the 26 parties is expected to win a majority of the vote. A
struggle is anticipated between the rightist Christian Democrats
(CDA) and the main opposition Labor Party (PvdA).

The previous expulsion of Turkish candidates has led to speculation
that most Turkish origin voters will opt for Fatma Koser who is
running with D’66.

She might even become a minister if the predictions are true.

More than 250,000 Turkish citizens in the country have double
citizenship and approximately two thirds can vote.

There are already several Turkish MPs in the Dutch parliament.