Syriac candidate Isa Kahraman wins seat in Dutch Parliament for New Social Contract

THE HAGUE — In the aftermath of a late-night victory, Isa Kahraman, number 16 on the candidate list for New Social Contract (NSC) in the Dutch Parliamentary election, shared his excitement about securing twenty seats in the chamber with RTV Oost. The celebratory mood, however, gives way to a day filled with formalities and serious discussions as Kahraman prepares for his first day in The Hague.

The suspense leading up to the election results had been intense for Kahraman. While the NSC was expected to win a substantial number of seats, uncertainty lingered regarding Kahraman’s own position in the chamber. “A few weeks ago, there was no doubt whatsoever,” he recalls. “But last week, we dropped in the polls, and it became quite exciting. I was overjoyed at the presentation of the redeeming exit poll. and relieved. We all cheered a lot.”

As the festive atmosphere transitions into a day of meetings, Kahraman reflects on the challenges ahead. “I’m about to get on the train to The Hague. Then there are a lot of formalities on the agenda,” he explains. “I receive my access pass, have to provide some information, and we get a tour and explanation of all the rules in the House of Representatives.”

The day’s pivotal moment is the group meeting, where NSC members will discuss the election outcome and strategize for the future. “Then we look back on last night, but we certainly also look ahead. How do we interpret the result? How do we proceed? We will talk about that this afternoon.”

However, the looming question remains: Will NSC consider collaborating with Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), the surprise winner of the election? Kahraman remains open to possibilities, stating, “I haven’t given that a place yet. We are going to see with which parties we can best realize our program. Whether the PVV is an option? That is possible. But we will discuss that this afternoon.”