Based on polls, the provincial council elections are proving to be a drama for the coalition parties. There is even talk of a record loss of seats. Of the 32 seats they currently have in the Senate, only 23 would remain. Fifteen too few for a majority and that has far-reaching consequences, thinks prominent VVD and former Senate chair Ankie Broekers-Knol.
He is not afraid of the result, but dares to call it a worrying situation. Especially since putting together a majority is much more difficult. “If your minority is two or three seats, that usually works,” she says. “But if you have to add fourteen or fifteen, that’s a lot of work.”
“If you have to add fourteen or fifteen seats, that’s a huge job”
The formidable opponent? The so-called “left cloud”, consisting of PvdA and GroenLinks. According to polls, those parties – which have a list link – have more than fourteen seats. Broekers-Knol sees no reason to depend on it all the time. He thinks that if they are always used to legislate, it is almost as if they are part of the coalition. “Then it gets a little complicated.”
Political relevance is increasing
Broekers-Knol also believes that the Senate’s political relevance is increasing due to the impending political deadlock. “Because it matters whether the government – which has a minority in the Senate – can get the legislation passed or not.”
He also points out that the Senate has only vetoed legislation in its entirety a handful of times over the past four years. “It’s a very tough tool and the Senate rarely uses it.”
Nitrogen Law
Broekers-Knol doesn’t dare say whether the next nitrogen law could end up on the list of fallen laws. However, he believes the entire Senate should “think very carefully” about the content of the nitrogen bill. “And also what the government does with it,” he says. “It may be that certain commitments are required in the debate, so that it is possible after all. It depends on how the result of the Senate will be.’
Don’t miss out on the provincial elections in our live blog
The situation is particularly precarious because the entire legislative process would have to start over if the law were actually overturned. This in turn causes delays.
Electoral process
Despite the polls, Broekers-Knol would not change the way the Provincial Council – and therefore the Senate – are elected. He says it is important that the provinces are still represented in the Senate. “I find this way invaluable, even though at the same time I find it strange that when you’re in the voting booth for that Provincial Council election, you don’t know who’s going to be in the Senate.”
However, Broekers-Knol’s proposal to provide an electoral roll for the Senate was never widely accepted. And she regrets it. Especially since according to her it is not a great effort.
However, he does not see a direct election to the Senate. And this has everything to do with a possible duplication with the House of Representatives. Broekers-Knol: ‘It is precisely this link with the province through the Provincial Council that I find very valuable. And I don’t think it’s obsolete.’
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
