The parliamentary commission of inquiry has already harshly judged Rutte. “He Didn’t make a difference” to the residents of Groningen, while “it would have been appropriate”. In its report at the end of February, the commission concluded that the prime minister “raises expectations” but then fails to meet them. Rutte’s many apologies did not lead to “real change”.
GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver wants to know from the Prime Minister why he doesn’t find the damning Groningen gas drilling investigation report a reason to resign, whereas he did so in 2021 in response to an equally scathing scandal report that surrounds childcare allowance.
“sorry province”
After all, in both cases there was talk of ‘failure of the system’. The GroenLinks leader wants “very strong self-reflection” from the prime minister. His apology has now become “empty shells,” according to Klaver.
SP Member of Parliament Sandra Beckerman also wonders in an insightful speech why Rutte does not step down. According to the deputy, Rutte’s previous apology is not enough. ‘Indeed, Groningen has become the sad province. No one has received apologies from Rutte as often as Groningen, but those apologies solved nothing.’ Those excuses are now “empty shells,” Klaver says. Henk Nijboer (PvdA) talks about ‘excuse the inflation’.
I’m not enough
Various parties, including the PvdD, question why the seriousness of the problems in Groningen only occurred to Rutte so late. Nijboer calls it “incredible”. ‘What did he essentially mean in Groningen and set up after that apology?’ asks Nijboer. Previous cabinet reactions “fall short,” says Beckerman.
The cabinet is allocating €22 billion for earthquake damage in Groningen and North Drenthe. Among the announced measures are “very, very good things,” Beckerman admits. “But there is no plan for the implementation of the plans. We have also seen it with the benefits deal». “The idea of accountability is still present in all lines” of the proposals, sees Nijboer.
Furthermore, according to Beckerman, the hardest hit are disadvantaged. “Especially in those villages, the most affected victims have long been waiting for a solution. They have been detained for a long time and for many measures it is not clear whether or not they will apply retroactively. You should go door to door and ask people what went wrong and how it can be fixed.’
Two days
Two days were set aside for the debate on the investigation report. The question is whether the opposition parties still have sufficient faith in the prime minister. “I came here to address this topic. Every fiber in me wants to solve this problem, but I don’t think Rutte can offer a solution,’ thinks Beckerman.
JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans points out that the problems in the earthquake area occurred mainly under Rutte’s responsibility. MP Wybren van Haga has already announced a no-confidence motion against Rutte.