Editing 2002 Dutch general election (section)

=== Developments in opposition parties (1999–2002) ===
* [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA): On 27 September 2001, party chairman [[Marnix van Rij]] resigned due to a fundamental disagreement with parliamentary leader [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] over the election campaign strategy. Van Rij viewed De Hoop Scheffer as too passive and ideologically vague. Tensions rose over candidate list rankings and leadership ambitions, with Van Rij eventually declining further candidacy. De Hoop Scheffer accused him of pursuing the party leadership through resignation. Though the party board tried to reconcile them, De Hoop Scheffer withdrew as leader, citing a loss of confidence. He stepped down as parliamentary leader on 1 October. The board rejected Van Rij's leadership proposal and unanimously nominated [[Jan Peter Balkenende]] as the new lead candidate, citing his experience and vision. Balkenende was confirmed in November.<ref name=":2" /> One of Balkenende's first moves was to announce his party would seek a harsher stance against immigration; post-election analysis has considered this decisive given the hindsight that immigration would become a key issue.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=45|pages=}}
* [[GroenLinks]] (GL): On 17 January 2002, GroenLinks announced its candidate list, led by [[Paul Rosenmöller]], who reprised his role as lead candidate. Unexpectedly, the second spot went to [[Femke Halsema]] instead of vice-chair Vos. Former co-leaders Rabbae and Tom Pitstra were removed; the committee criticised Pitstra's solo conduct, particularly on Afghanistan.{{refn|group=note|On 18 October 2001, Pitstra dissented from his party's support for the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|invasion of Afghanistan]] after the bombardment of Kabul led to civilian casualties.<ref name=":2" />}} Rabbae reacted with outrage and threatened to resign. Party members, including Van Duijn (formerly a member of [[The Greens (Netherlands)|The Greens]]), supported preference campaigns to reinstate them, though Van Duijn was also deemed unsuitable for a seat. MP Van der Steenhoven was placed 13th, likely unelectable; Hermann did not seek re-election. Most MPs received viable positions, though Harrewijn's 11th spot was uncertain. Environmentalist Duyvendak was among four newcomers likely to win seats. The list was approved on 9 February with very few changes.<ref name=":4">Hippe, J., Voerman, G., & Lucardie, A. (2004). Kroniek 2002: overzicht van partijpolitieke gebeurtenissen van het jaar 2002. In G. Voerman (editor), Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen 2002 (blz. 18-180). (Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen). Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen</ref>
* [[Christian Union (Netherlands)|Christian Union]] (CU): In 1999, young members of the [[Reformed Political League]] (GPV) and [[Reformatory Political Federation]] (RPF) founded a platform named ''Trans-Formatie'', criticising their parties' merger talks as too businesslike and lacking inspiration. They called for a Christian, green, progressive, and social direction. Their proposal to omit traditional confessions from the new party's foundation caused controversy. Meanwhile, surveys showed strong support among both parties' members for a joint candidate list and election programme, despite concerns about evangelical inclusion. On 21 October, the parties announced plans to politically unite under a shared program and list, forming a new union while keeping separate financial and membership policies.<ref>de Boer, B., Lucardie, A., Noomen, I., & Voerman, G. (2000). Kroniek 1999: overzicht van de partijpolitieke gebeurtenissen van het jaar 1999. In G. Voerman (editor), Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen 1999 (blz. 13-92). (Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen). Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen.</ref> On 22 January 2000, both parties approved the union, which would be called ''ChristenUnie'', aiming for eventual full integration while allowing gradual organisational cooperation.<ref name=":3" /> Former GPV senator [[Kars Veling]] would be the lijsttrekker in 2002.<ref name=":4" />
* [[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|Socialist Party]] (SP): In December 1999, the party council focused on implementing decisions from that year’s congresses: one on party organisation, the other on the new manifesto. In June 2000, it called for an evaluation, resulting in the report ''Van wens naar werkelijkheid'' ("From Wish to Reality"), discussed in local branches and regional conferences. Members criticised a proposal to offer discounts on books and videos to boost engagement, prompting the party board to withdraw it. On 16 December 2000, the council approved improvement measures, including abolishing underperforming districts and replacing them with six regions.<ref name=":3" /> On 23 June 2001, the party council unanimously nominated [[Jan Marijnissen]] to reprise his role as lead candidate in 2002. No candidates ran against him.<ref name=":2" />
* [[Reformed Political Party]] (SGP): In 2001, the SGP continued its fierce opposition to the second Kok cabinet, particularly over the euthanasia law. Internally, the party debated whether to adopt a tougher stance; some warned against being too confrontational. The longstanding issue of women's membership resurfaced when R. Grabijn filed a complaint with the [[Dutch Equal Treatment Commission|Equal Treatment Commission]], which ruled it lacked authority. Internationally, the UN urged the Dutch government to end the SGP's exclusion of women. A majority of Dutch citizens opposed the party's stance. Locally, SGP councillors refused to support female candidates. Senator Holdijk later stated he had no objection to women serving as aldermen, calling the issue overblown.<ref name=":2" /> [[Bas van der Vlies]] would reprise his role as lead candidate.