Randahl Fink

In the Dutch elections, the party of the right-wing populist Geert Wilders lost 11 seats on Wednesday, while the social liberal party D66 gained 17.

Populism is like Swedish Surströmming — it looks interesting on the tin, but once you taste it everyone runs away.

Oct 31 at 12:36amIvory for iOS
Show threadJan JohannessonOct 31
@randahl I am Swedish and I have tried three time. That is enough. I have friends who invite me to surströmming parties. My dad is from Ångermanland which is the epicenter of hard core addicts. I don´t with respect,😝
Show threadDaneOct 31
@randahl Is that similar to luttefisk? (sp?)
Show threadThird spruce tree on the leftOct 31

@TheLastOfHisName @randahl

worse.

I've had surstromming and quite enjoy it. But its horrendously strong. YOu have to open and drain it outside, let it air out for a few hours, then the proper way to serve it is to bombard-mix it with neutral or savory flavored things like good whole grain breads, potatoes, mayonnaise, sharp chedders and even then the flavor (and smell) pokes through like a sword.

Other than that its fermented fish (if you like that thing) that melts paint.

Show threadDaneOct 31
@tezoatlipoca @randahl That's....horrifying.
Show threadDen Spier Oct 31
@TheLastOfHisName @randahl No, luttefisk (lutfisk) is cod treated with lye, boiled and dried for long term storage. Surströmming is fermented herring. The closest Norwegian equivalent is rakfisk, also fermented fish, but rather trout or arctic char etc.
Show threadAlley StoughtonOct 31
@randahl As I remember it, the taste is OK, but it's the smell...
Show threadBlogfeedserOct 31

@randahl Geert Wilders dictates the internally non-democratic 1 member and extreme right party PVV and indeed he lost. JA21 en FVD are two antisemitic and otherwise extreme right xenophobic parties and together they won 12 seats. The VVD (a conservative party) and the BBB (a farmers party) together lost 5 seats, but turned into PVV-copies. The SGP still doesn't like equal rights for women. So, all is not well.

The pro-Palestine climate action now animal party still has 3 seats, which is good. 😊

Show threadHeather EvansOct 31
@randahl
Euwww 🤢 - I like fish, but it’s a definite pass on this one.
Show threadFrans Veldman ⁱ ᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵗⁱᶠᵃ🚩Oct 31

Unfortunately, many of the former Geert Wilders voters now voted for one of the other extreme right parties. I’m not sure what they think what will change by this.

It is indeed like choosing another brand of Swedish Surströmming, hoping that it will taste like chocolate this time.

Show threadRandahl FinkOct 31

@FransVeldman the same happened in Denmark when the ultra racist party Dansk Folkeparti fell apart. Many voters left for Nye Borgerlige and Danmarksdemokraterne.

This turned out to be a good thing, because when the far right vote is divided between multiple parties, it becomes more disorganized and loses political power.

Show threadEl IndifferenteOct 31
@randahl comparing right wing politics with surströming is so far your best, thank you. Will not get this one out of my head easily.
🤣🤣🤣
Show threadSandor Spruit 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇺🇦🇨🇦Oct 31
@randahl @mortenlarsen Maybe check where they ran to: other similar, smaller parties. Populism is not over yet.
Show threadRandahl FinkOct 31

@sandorspruit divide and conquer.

https://mastodon.social/@randahl/115467592210863632

Show threadEllen BakkerOct 31
@sandorspruit @randahl @mortenlarsen And social liberal is only what they like to call themselves.
Show threadMartijn VosOct 31

@randahl

Unfortunately other right-wing parties Ja21 (which might be slightly less extreme, although it's unclear if they really are) and FvD (which is definitely more extreme) picked up all the votes that PVV lost. This was not the return to the political center that some people claim it is.

Show threadRandahl FinkOct 31
@mcv https://mastodon.social/@randahl/115467592210863632
Show threadDen Spier Oct 31

@randahl Hey, don’t compare Geert Wilders to surströmming! You’re giving the traditional delicacy a bad name.

To anyone curious about surströmming, NEVER eat it straight from the can like in those silly “dare clips” on YouTube! That’s like trying raw squid and after finding it disgusting giving up seafood altogether.

Another great tip for newbies is trying Norwegian rakfisk first. It’s similar to surströmming but without the “acquired taste” scent.
#surströmming #rakfisk

Show threadMichael Keukert 💉Oct 31
@randahl I was told surstrømming tastes rather nice, but the stench is abysmal.
Show threadRenéOct 31
@randahl Ok, that was the good News. But extreme right has still a majority. Lot of votes went to ja21 another extreme right party.