There is no doubt that BoerBurgerBeweging is the big winner of the Provincial Council elections, but their lineups are also tied to Europe’s plans and guidelines. According to European expert Rob Boudewijn, little remains of the nitrogen ambitions and promises that drove BBB to profit.
In particular, statements like “nitrogen, we won’t do that” hit like a pair of tongs on a pig, thinks Boudewijn. “You’re legally bound domestically and internationally, so I’m afraid if you make claims like this while you can’t live up to it, it’s a kick in the foot.”
Boudewijn points out that too little attention was paid to her even during the campaign. “The province is actually the level of government most directly related to Europe,” he says. This is due to the fact that climate, energy, nature and even asylum policy must be implemented by the provinces. “And we haven’t heard that important aspect of the campaign at all.”
Empty promise
And so there seems to be empty promises at the BBB, Boudewijn thinks: ‘That’s not possible. Nationally, we have agreed that nitrogen emissions will be halved by 2030,’ he continues. ‘You can ignore it, but ultimately it may come down to Brussels forcing the Netherlands. This could soon make BBB known as a very unreliable partner in the EU, which would not be good for the image of the Netherlands.’
‘It is not possible’
The 2030 deadline is also enforced by the judiciary, as several interest groups have shown. There is a court ruling on this, and according to Boudewijn there is little objection.
Forums
Boudewijn dares to compare the rise of the BBB with the rise of the Forum for Democracy four years ago, stating that the BBB will suffer the same fate. “They also made all sorts of promises about shaking up the Hague, etc., but none of them were kept,” he concludes. “And I’m afraid the same is true of the BBB.”
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.
