A former refugee from Somalia who faced death threats after criticizing what she saw as oppression of Muslim women in the Netherlands is widely expected to win a seat in Parliament in general elections taking place Wednesday.
The woman, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Dutch citizen who has worked here as a political scientist, fled the country for several months after the threats. She came out of hiding recently after being offered a place on the ticket of the Dutch Liberal Party. Her stated reason for accepting: to take her fight for the emancipation of immigrant women into the political arena, where she says it belongs.
Ms. Hirsi Ali, 33, whose ordeal last year caused an outcry among the Dutch, has been prominent in the election campaign, appearing in television debates and in the press, now with 24-hour government bodyguards in tow. Her message remains the same: the Dutch welfare system, in its indulgence of ethnic minorities, has overlooked abuse of Muslim women and girls, an approach that in some cases has contributed to their isolation and facilitated violence against them.
The last elections, which occurred just eight months ago, were thrown into turmoil just beforehand by the assassination of the maverick populist Pim Fortuyn. Although his party, the List Pim Fortuyn, became the minority partner in the resulting coalition government, it was ultimately split by internal squabbling. Polls now suggest that his party, which last year won 26 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, may win only six, with the larger parties picking up the pieces.
But the Fortuyn legacy has nonetheless changed Dutch politics. Large parties of the left and right have been forced to address the public's demand for law and order; better education and health care; and tougher measures toward the large population of immigrants. Overwhelmingly from Muslim countries, they have failed to integrate, often flouting Dutch beliefs and conventions when it comes to treatment of women and homosexuals.
In recent days, opinion polls have swung wildly. One-third of voters reportedly remain undecided; many said they were awaiting a final debate today among the six leading candidates. The two front-runners for prime minister are the current prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, leader of the centrist Christian Democratic Party, and Job Cohen, a Social Democrat, who is mayor of Amsterdam. The party that gains the most votes will nominate the prime minister. The new Social Democratic Party leader, Wouter Bos, whose star has risen quickly, has said he does not want the job.
The election campaign last year was dominated by Mr. Fortuyn, an outspoken homosexual; this year it is Ms. Hirsi Ali who has had much of the spotlight. She has appeared on many talk shows, debating with supporters and critics, among them other Muslims.
In an interview today, with her bodyguards nearby, Ms. Hirsi Ali discussed her "to do" list if she entered Parliament. She wants more money for shelters for immigrant women who have run away from husbands, fathers or brothers threatening them. She wants to provide more legal protection for repudiated wives and victims of the sex trade. She also wants to close Muslim schools.
"We need to understand why so many young immigrant men end up in jail and the young women flee into shelters," she said. "We clearly need to educate our immigrant children differently."
She declined to discuss security issues but said she still received a lot of hate mail from Muslims.