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PvdA Lower House Leader 
Ad Melkert hits popularity low
 because of ESF scandal

Amsterdam, August 1, 2001.

The appointed "Crown Prince" of Prime Minister Wim Kok has hit a popularity low according to the market research institute NIPO . 

Only 16% of the Dutch voter sees him as a good candidate to succeed Wim Kok as Prime Minister. A clear majority of 61% don't think he is the right man to hold the highest position in the country. 

Melkert faces accusations of mismanagement of European Social Fund subsidies during his period (1994- 1998) as Social Affairs Minister. 

The European Commission is claiming a 200 million Euro refund of unaccounted ESF subsidy spending.

Not only Ad Melkert is affected in the ESF spending scandal, his party is also in decline. 3% of PvdA voters indicated that they wont vote again on the Social Democrats because of the scandal.

The voters who were against Melkert were unable to name a clear cut Social Democratic politician as alternative to Melkert as the successor of Wim Kok.

Home affairs Minister Klaas de Vries leads with 4%. His colleague on Social Affairs follows with 3%. Former Labour Union leader Johan Stekelenburg was named by 1% of the 664 persons questioned.