ROTTERDAM, 09/01/03 - Rotterdam municipal archives will present in spring 2004 a report on the significance of Pim Fortuyn for the city. The publication covers the period from January to August 2002, from the moment Fortuyn became leader of Liveable Rotterdam to his burial in Provesano, Italy.

As well as events like the rise of the politician and his Liveable Rotterdam, the study will also cover the experiences of people close to Fortuyn. Historian A. Oosthoek, who will conduct the research on behalf of the municipal archives, plans to talk with people including council members, the aldermen of Liveable Rotterdam, the chief police commissioner and Mayor Opstelten.

"Much happened and broke loose last year in the city. Liveable Rotterdam became very big when Pim Fortuyn joined it. The Labour (PvdA) disappeared from the council due to the rise of Liveable Rotterdam and in May, the murder of Fortuyn. In 30 years, the facts can still be retrieved, but how people thought about it will become more difficult to portray, which is why we are doing this now," according to Oosthoek.