Enemies of Multiculturism

Conservative liberal Frits Bolkestein reflects on whether his loathing for multiculturalism paved the way for Orban and Wilders | Post-match analysis | James and Tom focus on a far-right cell in Flanders and on race-baiting in Brussels

James is in Amsterdam to pick the brains of Dutchman Frits Bolkestein, a giant of conservative liberalism.

Bolkestein reflects on whether his effort to discredit multiculturalism helped lay the ground for populist firebrands like Viktor Orban and Geert Wilders.

Bolkestein says he was merely responding to the concerns of citizens "in the pub and in the church." He also says it’s time for Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, to take a top European job.

In post-match analysis, Tom laments Bolkestein’s failure to change stance on cultural diversity.

First, James and Tom focus on a Flemish extremist student association, Schild & Vrienden, and links some members have with the nationalist party in the Belgian governing coalition.

James Kanter is co-founder and editor EU Scream. For 12 years he was an EU Correspondent for the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times based in Paris and Brussels.  

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