Two days of debate in the House of Representatives about the report of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into gas extraction in Groningen resulted in a lot of frustration. Especially because of the actions of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
A quarter of the Dutch aged 15 and older still trust politicians. This emerged from a CBS survey last month. After two days of debate in the House of Representatives about the report of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into gas extraction in Groningen, it could just be a few percent off due to the actions of our Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He hardly took Groningen, the people of Groningen, the House of Representatives and the parliamentary committee of inquiry seriously. ‘Collateral damage’ from all the positive sides of gas extraction, Rutte summed up all the misery in Groningen at one point.
Phone more important
Rutte would like to be part of the solution. That is why, he says, he will not resign. But in no way has Rutte radiated in recent days that he is really involved with Groningen. His telephone was usually more important than the contributions of the members of parliament and he often did not have the facts straight. There was absolutely no empathy with the people of Groningen, so why would it suddenly appear. Running smoothly around the hot mess and here and there a lie for their own good, that’s how Rutte maneuvered through the debate.
Rutte is not stepping down now because, in contrast to the benefits affair, this cabinet has only been there for two years out of four and not just a few months. Elections now also promise a battlefield for the coalition parties, as a result of which D66, CDA and ChristenUnie meekly nestled around the prime minister.
It really can’t anymore
Rutte would like to be part of the solution, but the reality is that Rutte is getting in the way of the solution. Our Prime Minister is completely standing in the way of any beginning to build up confidence from Groningen and Groningen residents in The Hague. A mistake many leaders make: thinking that you are the best option to clean up the mess for which you are responsible.
Thousands of families are in misery for years and that is collateral damage, according to the prime minister. It is really no longer possible, Mr Rutte.