“It’s very broad, because the European Union actually deals with all the major dossiers we have to deal with,” says Dassen. He thinks it’s important to talk about how the EU works. “How democratic is the European Union and how can we improve it?”
European elections
On the eve of the European elections, Dassen sees various movements emerging in Europe. “Now we often talk about the nature restoration law, even the VVD and the CDA are opposing it, while there is no alternative.” That’s why he thinks it’s important to discuss.
There are proposals for transnational electoral lists that allow Europeans to vote directly for the European Union. ‘The Dutch parliament draws a yellow card for this. I find it incredible,’ says Dassen.
Europe debt
Dassen notes that if something goes wrong, they say it’s Europe’s fault, but if it did, it was Dutch politicians. “It’s pure nonsense. We have a say in everything, so when an appointment is made in Brussels, we are there ourselves”.
Laurens Dassen believes that we should stop pointing the finger at Brussels, but that we should ensure that our business is in order in the Netherlands. “This way we can build Europe’s future,” he says.
“There is a European asylum pact on the table, if the Netherlands supports it, people will immediately know where they stand”
According to critics, the influx of asylum seekers must be resolved at the European level. Dassen says he thinks the Netherlands is also one of the stonewalling countries. ‘There is a European Asylum Pact on the table. If the Netherlands supports it, people will immediately know where it stands.’