Klaver receives online threats after collision with Baudet: ‘Mailbox is full’ | Politics

“I would appreciate it even more if he made it clear to his supporters that resolving differences of opinion with violence is never a solution. Since yesterday my mailbox has been full of threats,” Klaver said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the House debated a proposal by FVD to hold a referendum on Dutch EU membership. During that debate, Klaver urged Baudet to provide clarity about the finances of the Forum for Democracy Foundation. This foundation was established to organize the Ukraine referendum in 2016. Baudet was one of the driving forces behind that referendum at the time.

He campaigned against a treaty that the European Union wanted to conclude with Ukraine. Ultimately, Dutch citizens were able to speak out about this through a referendum. More than 60 percent of those who showed up voted against the treaty.

Klaver now wants clarification about where the money from that campaign came from. “There is a lot of flirting with Russia and with people associated with the Kremlin,” he said in the debate on Wednesday.

Baudet felt his honor was damaged by the suggestion that he had or has ties with Russia. “In any other situation, I would punch someone in the face if you think that about me.”

Speaker of the House Martin Bosma initially intervened. “Let’s take that coarse for a moment,” he said. But he did not deprive Baudet of the floor because he did not classify the statement as a threat. After the debate, still in the room but with the microphones turned off, Baudet repeated his threat to Klaver.

“That is threatening,” Klaver says a day later. “This is the national meeting room, the heart of democracy. As politicians, we must convey that no matter how big differences of opinion, we will solve them together.”

Bosma called Baudet to the mat on Thursday morning to provide explanations, but the FVD leader did not show up because he wanted to exercise. Baudet then apologized to Klaver via a video on X. “I shouldn’t have done it.” Furthermore, he mainly downplayed the incident. “This circus is ridiculous and cannot be taken seriously. There was no real threat of violence,” said Baudet.

Klaver remains unclear whether he will file a report. In particular, he still wants answers to his questions about the finances of the foundation with which Baudet organized the Ukraine referendum.

These questions have only become more relevant, says Klaver. “Today we saw the news about Russian interference throughout Europe. Dutch politicians are also involved. That’s how this case started.”

According to the Czech secret service, European politicians, including Dutch ones, are paid by Russia to promote anti-EU and anti-Ukraine positions. No names or parties are mentioned. The House will debate this possible interference next week.