Klaas Dijkhoff Political Sucker of the Year 2018

Among other things, DWARS criticised Dijkhoff's plans to punish crimes in deprived neighbourhoods more severely and to ban demonstrations during Sinterklaas. According to the youngsters, these plans pose a direct danger to the rule of law. They also cite his unsympathetic attitude towards Nemr, the child refugee who had to return to Iraq. When the little boy told them he was terrified of going back, Dijkhoff responded by saying: 'Yes, so?' This response also met him with criticism earlier.

Interestingly, young people gave Dijkhoff another positive award in 2015. Back then, he was named 'DWARSe politician of the year'. Julia Matser, chairman of DWARS: "As state secretary, Dijkhoff still did quite well when he championed humane refugee policy. As group chairman, Dijkhoff is now coming up with absurd, unconstitutional proposals. We cannot revoke the 2015 award, so we have created a new one to let us hear what we think of him now."

The young people also bring out the positive award this year: Sigrid Kaag was named 'DWARSe politician of the year 2018' by them. She won the award for championing international cooperation on refugees and climate.