The General Discussions are seen as the most important debate of the year. The group chairmen only debate once a year with the prime minister on all subjects. Two days is due, today the group chairmen can kick off from 10.15 am. Each party leader is given a lot of speaking time, up to 40 minutes.
Political commentator Frits Wester has already followed many General Discussions and is looking ahead to the debate.
Corona central
Of course, the corona crisis is central, Wester begins. “The consequences of the crisis are enormous. Think of healthcare, the economy, employment, our income and education. But it is precisely the consequences of the pandemic that will also usher in a new political era.”
“Because the virus that plunged us into a crisis has also exposed many weak spots in our systems,” says Wester. “The tension and decisiveness of our health care system, our housing market, our labor market and our dependence on foreign countries. Not everything is new, but we were very hard pressed to face the facts.”
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The parties will therefore come up with their recipe for the future. “Perhaps that recipe is not yet fully mature, the election programs are not yet ready, but there will be a different course for the next cabinet.”
Market forces have gone too far
Almost all politicians agree that market forces have gone too far. “This theme will run through all pleadings as a leitmotif”, Wester thinks. “We heard it from ChristenUnie leader Segers in recent days and also the new party leader of the CDA, Hugo de Jonge, came up with a similar plea. Left-wing politicians Asscher, Klaver and Marijnissen insist on it for longer and Geert Wilders and his PVV are on that course. “
It increasingly sounds like ‘an unconcealed attack on the VVD that has been so dominant for ten years’, says Wester. “But VVD party leader Klaas Dijkhoff also cautiously took an advance a year ago, with his story about Philips as his grandfather knew it as an employee. Dijkhoff argued for a reconsideration of the market and a different role for the government as it is now. functions. “
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Fireworks expected
Does that make it boring ‘cuckoo sing song’ in the House of Representatives for two days? No, Wester assures us. “The differences between the parties are too great for that.”
“It is still true that there will be a change in thinking, amplified by the Corana crisis. A crisis that is unparalleled and affects the whole world.”
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To attack
So fireworks in the House of Representatives, with all kinds of attacks on both sides. “Attacks on the cabinet, on the prime minister, on Europe and on the asylum policy.” The drama in Greek refugee camp Moria previous work, according to Wester can act as a catalyst.
“During the debate, it will be about racism and discrimination, about Zwarte Piet and criminal law. About big capital and pensions. About young people and the elderly, about rich and poor. About unemployment and sustainability. About test streets and salaries in healthcare.” “
One liners are all over the place
One-liners that have been studied and practiced metaphors will be flying around us, says Wester. “But I suspect that these days there will be a turning point in the thinking. Because almost everyone is convinced that things have to be changed. The pandemic has made that much clear to us.”
Now it is looking for the common line in this, the political commentator concludes. “For that to happen, the differences will first have to be firmly peeled off. You bet that it will start today. The elections may be close, but there is still a long way to go in this fragmented political landscape. But that the process will be fascinating. There is no doubt.”
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