Opposition parties want to know what Nitrogen Minister Christianne van der Wal will spend the 24 billion euro transition fund on. This fund is to be used to pay for the reduction of nitrogen emissions. “Criticisms from the opposition fit with the broader criticisms of this cabinet,” says Bert Bakker, a political communication researcher at the University of Amsterdam.
No decisions are made on major issues, according to Bakker. “They leave those decisions to others.” He sees that on a number of issues such as justified criticism, “further guidance from The Hague is certainly welcome.”
There is a majority in favor of the transition fund in the House, but not yet in the Senate. “You hear in the corridors that the cabinet first wants to see what happens in the formations in the provinces and at the agricultural agreement table before letting the Senate vote on this fund,” says political journalist Leendert Beekman. In this way, the cabinet still has time to win the support of parties of the left or the right.
Wait
Bakker thinks it wise for the cabinet to wait. ‘The Netherlands has a rich tradition of bringing all kinds of stakeholders into dialogue to reach compromises. And I certainly think it is important to see what the outcome of the negotiations in the provinces will be.’ But after the coalition formations, the twelve provinces could arrive at different kinds of policy on the matter. This may not provide the straightforward answer the government is hoping for. “I think it’s a risk,” Bakker says.
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.
