On X, Joost Eerdmans (JA21) was called “an unpopular populist”. In the bull’s eye. The more this representative speaks to the people, the less inclined they are to hoist him on the shield. Every day an opinion that the majority likes to hear – yesterday again about the Maarheeze railway station where travelers are plagued by asylum seekers, Joost wants to send tanks there – but the credits always go to the PVV, where the average spokesperson is much less strong in the debates than Joost. Always finding something, tirelessly appearing as a joke on talk shows, spending your entire salary on suits and glasses and never skyrocketing in the polls. An eight for diligence, but always being selected for further training. And at the same time, very sweet actually, pointing a little too emphatically to your one seat during the cabinet formation. As an unpopular populist, it doesn’t really matter what you think, he is table filling for the talk shows. If there is a subject that no normal person can or wants to defend, they call Joost, who with all his eloquence says exactly what they want to hear, which the viewers saw coming from afar. Tougher punishments, closed borders, even more freedom of expression, less diversity. It is reminiscent of former international and FC Utrecht player John van Loen who only approaches the goalkeeper in a match that has already been won. It will probably be a goal, but we won’t remember it. The day before yesterday, he lashed out in the House of Representatives at the war archive in which his grandfather’s name is included, while Joost “is very sure” that he actually had people in hiding at home. So what? It will not stick to him, that is precisely the underlying problem: nothing sticks to Joost Eerdmans. Everything he knows for sure is dismissed with a shrug. It is not possible to reach the masses, these are the ingredients for a comedy or reality series in which an unpopular populist searches for voters who will ignore him further. Joost Eerdmans who comes to take stock at Maarheeze station and then again does not meet any voters. Unfortunately for him, they are already served by others with less expertise. Joost Eerdmans is not relevant, even if he is looking for a fuss, no one is upset about his opinion. I quietly hope that I will do him a huge favor with this piece, silent proof that it has not all been in vain. The cold truth is that for a moment I really didn’t know what to write about and then I logically thought of him.
Marcel van Roosmalen writes a column on Mondays and Thursdays.