Albert Verlinde finds it scandalous that Merel Ek is treated as a kind of Leontine Ruiters at SBS 6. “It is strange that at both RTL and SBS the man does the debate and the woman plays Leontine.”
It was a real one in the previous elections game changer: The Debate of the Netherlands on SBS 6. That was different last night: although it was the first debate with Geert Wilders, nothing spectacular happened. The design of the show was the same as back then, with Wilfred Genee as the debate leader and Merel Ek as his informant.
Leontine Ek
Albert Verlinde thinks it is a bad relationship. “No one has said this yet, but I actually find it – and let me just say it – strange that at both RTL and SBS the man does the debate and the woman is allowed to raise the topics like a kind of Leontine Ruiters,” he says at the table RTL Tonight.
He continues: “It has been announced everywhere that a man and a woman will do the debate, but the woman can simply present the topic and the man will do the debate.”
More experience
Sam Hagens thinks that Albert is overlooking something important. “Wilfred has a little more experience, right?”
Albert: “That’s not what it’s about for me. Then I think: guys, come on, haven’t we gone further than that? Yes, I really think so. As a broadcaster and as a channel, you can really think about that.”
Sam: “So next year Merel can present it.”
Albert: “That’s what I wanted to say. Absolutely.”
Finally, Lale Gül: “Talk about progressive ideas!”