Nawijn's statements evoked a barrage of criticism from...

Nawijn's statements evoked a barrage of criticism from nearly all parliamentary parties including his own LPF. The only Dutch party that for years has called for the re-introduction of the death penalty is the small Calvinist party SGP. Caretaker prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende said Nawijn had taken 'a peculiar position'. It is not in agreement with European legislation. It is unthinkable and impracticable.' Balkenende emphasised that Nawijn was not speaking on behalf of the cabinet and that he would have words with him about it.
LPF parliamentary leader Mat Herben said he was against the death penalty but could understand Nawijn's 'personal outpouring'.
Liberal (VVD) party leader Gerrit Zalm said Nawijn had gone 'a step too far'. Christian Democrat (CDA) parliamentary leader Maxime Verhagen dubbed the death penalty 'uncivilised' and opposition Labour (PvdA) leader Wouter Bos said capital punishment would not make Holland any safer.
Andre Rouvoet of ChristenUnie, a small Christian party, said Christian political thinking did not condemn capital punishment in principle. But he added that it was 'quite sinister' that this kind of discussion always flared up after serious incidents had taken place.
Despite politicians' shocked reactions, in the past, almost 40% of Dutch residents have said they are in favour of capital punishment. And a Nipo survey conducted earlier this year showed that 43% would like to see the death penalty re-introduced for serious crimes. People questioned on the issue in a straw poll yesterday were divided.
Taxi driver Rob Harvey, 49, said he was against re-introducing the death penalty, but that sometimes he thought murderers should be sentenced to death, 'provided it had been conclusively proven that they had done it'.
Former Peruvian police officer Fidel Martinez, 38, thought the death penalty was necessary 'to combat crime'. He said Dutch police were 'too passive'.
'I'm totally against it. I think Nawijn said it to attract voters (in the upcoming election on January 22),' said 19-year-old student Simona Samura.
'What Nawijn said was highly improper. Especially coming from a minister who should be setting an example,' said sculptor Saskia Koning, 54.