5 February 2008

RIJSWIJK – Nine in ten Dutch say they wouldn't have a problem if the Netherlands were to elect a female prime minister. This emerged from a survey conducted by Eén Vandaag Opinion panel and daily newspaper De Pers, published on Tuesday. Nor do many people object to a homosexual leading the government.

There appears to be less tolerance for people of other religions, the survey showed. Only half of respondents would think it acceptable for the Netherlands to have a Jewish prime minister. Less than a third would be happy with a Muslim PM.

Women are more tolerant than men. And young people more so than older people. Four in five teenagers would see nothing wrong with a prime minister of Surinamese descent, only a quarter of people over 65 would find this acceptable. Of the four largest ethnic groups in the Netherlands, a Surinamese would have the best chance of becoming prime minister, according to the survey.

A prime minister over the age of 70 was rejected by all the groups of respondents: only 19 percent is not opposed. Only 26 percent says they would have no objection to a former hard drug user leading the government.

The opinion panel was comprised of 21,000 Dutch.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2008]

Subject: Dutch news