Özcan Akyol has the idea that journalists and the media in general are relatively mild towards Pieter Omtzigt, because they are afraid of his supporters. “Hence the soft approach.”
Pieter Omtzigt is loved by many people as a politician, because he inspires their confidence. The leader of the new political party NSC is somewhat the opposite of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who has a very smooth image. He is currently neck and neck with the prime minister’s party, the VVD.
‘Omtzigt adoration’
A letter writer for the VARA guide, a certain Mr. Tom, believes that the politician is not being tackled hard enough by the media. “I am annoyed by how various media treat Pieter Omtzigt with kid gloves. It is as if the Messiah himself has arrived in the Netherlands to save our political landscape.”
Tom wants to know from the manager of the letters section, Özcan Akyol, how he views this. “Do you understand where this adoration comes from?”
‘They are afraid’
Özcan has an idea why that happens, he answers. “That man of course did a lot for the parents in the benefits scandal and Mark Rutte then wanted to screw him hard with a position elsewhere. He is well-read and flirts with his ready knowledge.”
He continues: “I think, to be honest, that journalists are not so much afraid of him, but of the supporters who follow him idolatrously. They admire him. If you criticize, you get them after you. Hence the soft approach.”