Dirk Gotink (Dutch: [dɪrk ˈɣoːtɪnk]; born 1982) is a Dutch politician of the Christian-democratic New Social Contract (NSC) party. He was a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) before 2023.

Dirk Gotink
Personal details
Born1982 (age 41–42)
Political partyNew Social Contract
Other political
affiliations
Christian Democratic Appeal (until 2023)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • political staffer

Career

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He worked in European politics for seventeen years, including as spokesperson for the European People's Party (EPP) and as assistant to Manfred Weber.[1][2] He first ran for the European Parliament in 2014 on the CDA's party list.[1]

When Pieter Omtzigt, a former CDA member, founded the New Social Contract (NSC) party in August 2023, Gotink joined. He said the CDA had lost its critical voice with regard to the European Union. Gotink was chosen to serve as NSC's lead candidate in the June 2024 European Parliament election. He planned to contain the EU's climate policy and financial solidarity between member states in an energy transition. In the campaign, he also decried European regulations, stating they threatened Dutch traditions such as Easter fires and rookworst.[1] NSC won one seat in the election, and Gotink was elected.[3]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Dirk Gotink
YearBodyPartyPos.VotesResultRef.
Party seatsIndividual
2024European ParliamentNew Social Contract1136,1761Won[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Aharouay, Lamyae; Van de Wiel, Clara (29 May 2024). "Hoe Nederland een opt-out in de EU krijgt? 'Ik begrijp dat jullie mij daarover tegen de wand willen spijkeren'" [How will the Netherlands get an opt-out from the EU? 'I am sensing that you are trying to pin me to the wall on that']. NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Wat staat er op het spel voor de Nederlandse partijen bij de Europese verkiezingen? Ook de winnaar in zetels kan met lege handen staan" [What is at stake for Dutch parties in the European election? The winner of most seats could end up empty-handed]. NRC (in Dutch). 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Proces-verbaal centraal stembureau uitslag verkiezing Europees Parlement Model P22-1" [Central electoral council report of the results of the election of the European Parliament Model P22-1] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 19 June 2024. pp. 31–32, 47. Retrieved 19 June 2024.