Jack de Vries

Balkenende's storm Jan Peter Balkenende discusses his premiership in detail for the first time. For eight years (2002 - 2010) he held the highest political office in The Netherlands.

Ten years ago, the first Balkenende cabinet fell after just 87 days. A reconstruction of the political drama within the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) that led to this inglorious downfall. The LPF leadership, including rivals Eduard Bomhoff and Herman Heinsbroek, look back on the most turbulent period in our parliamentary history.

On March 6, 2002, Pim Fortuyn, as leader of Leefbaar Rotterdam, achieved a resounding victory in the municipal elections in the city on the Maas. Nationally, Fortuyn would instantly secure eighteen parliamentary seats; the political landscape had been permanently changed by him. March 6, 2002, concluded with a now-historic television debate between Pim Fortuyn and Ad Melkert, among others, moderated by Paul Witteman. What exactly happened behind the scenes surrounding the key players Fortuyn and Melkert? Confidants of the leading figures of that time tell their story. Moderator Paul Witteman also looks back on the debate.