Africa correspondent Ruud Elmendorp: “As soon as you give money, people no longer speak their hearts, but what they think you want to hear.”

Dear Mr. Timmermans, there is a real chance that you will become the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands after 29 October. That prospect brings a huge responsibility. A prime minister is above the parties and not only represents his own supporters, but all Dutch people. That means that you must also have an eye for those who now feel alienated from you-the right-wing conservative voters who fear that their concerns will be ignored or even increased under your leadership.