The cabinet must show people it cares about what worries them, writes Ton Planken.

Former politician Rob Oudkerk is not the only one who is critical of the lack of visible, concrete measures to tackle the real or perceived problems which attract voters to Geert Wilders’ PVV. But where to begin?

For starters, the cabinet should ask social policy advisor SCP – sooner rather than later – to establish by means of surveys and analyses which issues people object to the most. What is it that makes them vote for Wilders or opt, reluctantly, for the party they’ve always voted for? Don’t assume we know the answer already. We have to get to the bottom of exactly what is causing the ulcer that is eating away at our democracy.

Irritation chart

The cabinet could make a start by tackling the three issues that top the irritation chart, and it should announce its intention to do so clearly and unequivocally. If one of the main frustrations is with ‘greedy, careerist’ politicians and administrators, the cabinet, instead of denying there are such people or arguing that job security among politicians is shaky, should limit severance pay to three months instead of 2.5 years(!) Those days are over. Ordinary citizens don’t enjoy any such perks. It is a glaring injustice which needs to be dealt with.

The cabinet should also be firm with failing politicians (Plasterk) and not let considerations of a tactical nature determine who should stay and who should go. Pre-election alliances should be much more prevalent, with some margin for manoeuvre. After all, what we want is promises that won’t be broken.

If the loans to Greece (‘at the taxpayers’ expense’), or at some stage to Ukraine, figure in the irritation top three, abstract macro-economic or geopolitical arguments are not going to do the trick. Rutte and Dijsselbloem should summon the prime minister and the finance minister of Greece to the Netherlands before the European elections in May, even if it means having to threaten them with a boycott of the next round of loans. The argument would be: ‘we can’t explain our eurozone policy to our citizens if we can’t offer them tangible proof that the loans will be repaid.’   

The Greek guests would then explain for all to see and hear how they are going to go about repaying the loans – not gifts – and when and at what advantage to the Netherlands. They would explain how Greek economic prospects have improved thanks to the loans, etc, etc: anything to show the electorate that our politicians are not indifferent to the popular feeling stirred up by the billions that are currently being channelled to the Southern European countries.

Proof of leadership

Faced with developments which determine the political health of the country, the cabinet must prove it is fit to lead. So why not, in the run-up to the European elections, put a stop to the endless to-ing and fro-ing of the European Parliament between Strasbourg and Brussels? The whole cabinet should go to Brussels and stage a demonstration! ‘We can’t explain this to people and they are turning away from the EU.’ Why not take the initiative and come up with a social plan for the staff in Strasbourg and veto all important EU decisions until the job is done?

In short: cabinet, do something which will lead to a solution, something citizens will understand and appreciate.

By the way, which minister is coordinating the efforts to solve the problems surrounding the Moroccan population? How often does he ask the local authorities what progress they are making?

Why can’t the cabinet discuss issues like this, say, every third Friday of the month? The minister involved can then present the results at the prime minster’s press conference. Show and tell, and leave Wilders empty-handed.

Ton Planken is a communication advisor.