In the run-up to the House of Representatives elections, Omroep Brabant, together with Omroep Zeeland and L1 in Limburg, held the Debate of the South on Saturday evening. Seven party leaders debated with each other in Eindhoven about the most important issues such as migration, social security and climate.
Political commentator and debate leader Tessel Linders believes that the seven party leaders have studied the regions well. Linders: “They have said all kinds of sensible things about that. That means that they have really thought about the issues in the southern provinces.”
She thinks that the provinces have put themselves well on the map among party leaders. “That’s worth something too.”
Absentees
Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) and Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks/PvdA) chose to ignore the Debate of the South. Linders: “If you are not there, you cannot say meaningful things. The extent to which they will suffer the consequences of this is already reflected in the polls.”
Floating voters
Linders saw that many Brabanders do not yet know what they will vote for next Wednesday. “I think that a large group has little confidence in politics. I read and hear that many people who are tired of the ‘old’ politics will therefore switch to newcomer Pieter Omtzigt.”
Watch the Debate of the South here: