[edit] Party for the Animals
The Party for the Animals is a political party in the Netherlands with two out of the one hundred and fifty seats in parliament. One of its main goals is fighting for animal rights and animal welfare, though it claims not to be a single-issue party. The party does consider itself to be a testimonial party, which does not seek to gain political power, but testify its beliefs.[1]
Its chairwoman and political leader is Marianne Thieme. The party was supported in the run-up to the Dutch general election, 2006 by several Dutch celebrities, such as writers Maarten 't Hart and Jan Wolkers. As of November 30, Marianne Thieme and Esther Ouwehand are seated in the Tweede Kamer.
It is the world's first party to gain parliamentary seats with an agenda focused primarily on animal rights.
As of January 1, 2007 the Party for the Animals has 6,370 members.