Think about us – before you go voting this year!

I am writing this column in English for all the 75,000 expats in the Netherlands. According to the Centraal Buraeu voor de Statistics (CBS) I am one of them.

I work at an international university, half my colleagues are not Dutch, students include Dutch, German, Spanish, Bulgarian and many other nationalities. My colleagues, students and I worry about the rise of populists such as Wilders, Le Pen and Trump.

Growing up in the 80-ties and I remember borders in Europe and different currencies. I always admired the Netherlands for their progressive politics, which I considered unique in Europe. The Netherlands are small – but I see it as a major driving force in Europe and I am proud to call it my home. Still, while I can vote in municipal elections – I am not allowed to vote in Dutch national elections, even though I pay taxes and contribute to society just like every one else.

Make no mistake – Europe, the EU, is under threat: the return of Nationalism, the populist appeal for easy solutions is a very attractive choice for many Dutch voters. And while we have no vote in national elections, I want to remind you that of the many law abiding, expats and foreigners living in this country which has been their home for many years.

We do not want to be in a situation like the many EU expats right now in the UK, the vast majority of whom have worked and lived in the UK as law abiding residents. Now their future in the UK is at risk.

Consider the wider picture: despite the difficulties we face in Europe, the EU is democratic, even though populists claim otherwise. We all can vote in EU elections, have access to health care, education and social security – all strong European achievements; think about that when you visit your doctor next time. Most people on this planet have to do with a lot less.

Populists seek to erode and destroy values such as solidarity, and we are making it easier for them by accepting a divided and nationalist Europe instead of demanding from our politicians to build a stronger Europe for us.

There is no turning the clock back and return to the ‘good old days’ – we are all connected globally across the world with friends, family and social media. And yes, that is complicated, but the idea that walls, and nationalist ideas will make it any easier to solve global problems such as climate change is just an illusions.

So please do not forget us when you go voting this March. This year your vote counts for all of us in Europe!