“This second anniversary of the benefits scandal is hardly cause for a party,” said Leijten in a conversation with political journalist Sophie van Leeuwen. “I think the lessons we should have learned from the subsidy scandal have not been learned enough.”
Leijten mentions the general principles of good governance. “They have to be done right. These principles are about good and careful decision-making by government, so that it is well explained why a decision has been made and that people know clearly where and how something can be raised if they disagree.’
to argue
According to Leijten, the government often fights against people who oppose it. “It also happens often,” she continues. “The State Attorney comes in from the ongoing proceedings. Not just on benefits or tax authorities, but in all kinds of areas. It is not right for the state to actually use its power to stop time and push advantage to its side.’
Leijten is supported by D66 colleague Joost Sneller, who is concerned about the overall situation. ‘Especially when I see what’s happening in other countries. The US, Brazil, Hungary, Poland, another coup attempt in Germany last year, you name it,” he says. ‘When you see how fast things can go, I’m really worried about what it is happening in the Netherlands. The beginnings of a kind of democratic decline are visible.’
Neglected action
What disturbs Sneller most is that the politicians have not acted. “To do what is necessary, as the VVD calls it,” he says. ‘But doing something about nitrogen, for example, was already necessary ten years ago. But the politicians have waited too long, and then they are taking him to court to say something about it.’
While acknowledging that there is still a functioning rule of law, he believes the establishment of an independent judge is undermined if the government subsequently hides behind it. “The government can therefore say that something has to be ordered by the court, when in reality it is our own rules that we encounter,” he continues. “And those rules are made by politicians, not the courts.”
How much further?
According to Sneller, a possible remedy lies in the complaint. “And I’ll try not to blame myself for that,” he says. ‘I also want to call colleagues to account if that were to happen. Don’t let people think that these people – Forum for Democracy for example – are going beyond the judge’s book. No, it is simply the role of the judge to ultimately verify international treaties. That’s in our constitution, and that’s what’s happening.’
And the government regularly fails to respect the constitution, says Leijten. ‘This is important. Furthermore, they must adhere more to the general principles of good governance,’ he concludes. “They have to treat people decently, give them information, give them the right to defend themselves, and not always have to go through with a litigation. This is the topic of debate as far as we are concerned.’