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Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuyn (Pim) (1948-2002), was one of the most controversial politicians that the Netherlands has ever witnessed. Pim Fortuyn was one of the most popular politicians that threatened to undermine the Netherlands tradition of tolerance and openness, which is a tradition demonstrated in history with the acceptance of different views and progressive policies. Pim Fortuyn was originally a university lecturer in sociology and had also worked as a professor at the Erasmus University, regarded as a fairly prestigious institution in Holland. In his early years, himself and others regarded him as a Marxist, following leftist politics and views. After he left the University, he made a career of public speaking, writing books and columns and eventually, politics. During this time, he shifted his political affiliation from left to right, and joined the rightist Leefbaar Nederland party and was elected the lijsttrekker or leading candidate for the party by an overwhelming majority in late 2001. Despite the controversy that surrounded him in his own party, he achieved a major victory for Leefbaar Nederland in the Rotterdam district council elections in early March 2002. The party obtained about 30% of the seats, making