Be that as it may, in this broadcast of the Youth news – a tradition in every national campaign – the party leaders always put on their happiest faces. Mark Rutte (VVD), Geert Wilders (PVV) and Jesse Klaver (GL) had experienced this youth feast of democracy before, for Wopke Hoekstra (CDA), Sigrid Kaag (D66) and Lilian Marijnissen (SP) it was new. “Ultimately, we like each other,” said Klaver at one point. “Although we argue sometimes.” You also do the same with people you can get along with, Marijnissen thought, who perhaps felt most at ease with this young audience.
So there were jokes at the quiz, Rutte asked the children what the right answer was, Klaver was accused of copying, Billie Eilish’s green hair caused headaches and there was an elbow boxing when team Marijnissen-Rutte turned out to be the winner.
Hoisting the Dutch flag
It Youth news wouldn’t be itself if tricky issues were avoided. What do you say to Muslim children if you do not want an Islamic education, Wilders was asked. ‘They must have a bright future, with Dutch friends at Dutch schools as well,’ was the answer. Wilders turned out to be the only one who wants to have the Dutch flag hoisted every day in schools, he was also alone in his choice not to want to do more about climate change. Your parents have to pay for all that, he said. “Then you might not be able to go on vacation or go to McDonald’s.”
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The children also brought their own questions. Thus, it is now known that Hoekstra is the father in superhero filmThe Incredibles wants to pretend that Rutte would like to be a German shepherd, Klaver is a flexitarian and the hairdresser does something with Wilders’ hair. It is bleached, he said. “That looks good, right?”
The last question was for Kaag. How do you deal with hatred like on social media, one girl wanted to know. “I don’t care,” said Kaag. ‘Because what they really mean is that you disappear and start doubting yourself. People who hate are actually very pathetic. ‘ Like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, Rutte whispered ‘so’ and ‘beautiful’ through it. It also became a bit of his text.
Jump through hoops
The party leaders have to jump through hoops this campaign more than ever. Get in a taxi at Rutger Castricum, be painted by Ruud de Wild, in the loveseat with Emma Wortelboer, cook for the camera of their own social media team. And everywhere they are expected to show some of their real, other selves. It Youth news best preserves the illusion of catching the party leader in his natural state.
It is the ecumenism of Dutch politics, for a moment. Or as the presenter said: “We are entering the elections with a positive feeling.”
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