Local parties are now the largest in all Drenthe municipalities. Those parties have to hold up their pants financially. And that while national parties in the Netherlands receive a subsidy of 25 million annually.
John Uffels of Sterk Lokaal says that municipal councilors and aldermen currently contribute something every month. “But that is not enough. Council members often spend 25 hours a week in their work. They make working visits and have to read documents. In addition, they also have to campaign. They also incur travel costs. Costs that are reimbursed by national parties.”
Uneven playing field
Professor of Dutch politics Gerrit Voerman of the University of Groningen believes that there is an uneven playing field. “Equal monks, equal hoods. The local parties need money to professionalize, compile lists, train people, that sort of thing.”
If it is up to the SP and the PvdA in the House of Representatives, political parties in Drenthe will also receive subsidies. They submitted a proposal to also provide subsidies to local parties. That proposal will be voted on shortly.
Minister of the Interior Hanke Bruins Slot has said that if the House of Representatives decides to also grant subsidies to local parties, this must come from the same pot. “The chance is not so great that the national parties will agree to this,” says Voerman.
Need a bigger pot
According to Uffels, there is also a proposal to add another 10 or 11 million euros. “That’s to ease the pain for everyone and create a more level playing field.” Voerman believes that the minister should simply pull out his wallet: “It is quite possible to add a few million euros for the local parties.”
If the money does not come, Voerman is not so afraid of the influence of, for example, companies on politics if they support parties. “If companies already pay, that doesn’t mean they have influence. And don’t forget that the local political parties have done it all these years without financial support from companies. So I don’t expect them to bet massively on that.”