It was clear from the start that it would be a tough debate for the Cabinet, and especially for Prime Minister Rutte. Because the course of the cabinet’s nitrogen policy was not clear after the press conference last Friday. The CDA called for a break and announced that it wanted to renegotiate part of the coalition agreement. Rutte talked about acceleration.
In the parliamentary debate on the results of the state elections, Rutte said once again that the cabinet would step up its nitrogen policy. He said the cabinet is working on an “immediate tax plan” for companies that emit large amounts of nitrogen in nature reserves, and a buyout plan for farmers who want to quit voluntarily. An agricultural agreement is also being worked on.
Rutte also said that the agreement with the CDA to pend the farm agreement and provincial negotiations will not result in any delays or interruptions. Most opposition parties do not trust it at all.
Because it wasn’t clear to them how the cabinet should pick up the momentum. The best trucks and purchasing programs for farmers are reviewed by the European Commission. It should check if there is any permitted state aid. The Netherlands will have to wait. “I’ve been following this closely,” Rutte said. Meanwhile, some of the best trucks want to be bought.
And the agriculture deal has not been finalized yet. The cabinet and various agricultural organizations are involved in it. In the agriculture agreement, the government wants to make agreements with agriculture on land designation, innovation and greening. Negotiations have failed since December, with Agractie recently (temporarily) withdrawing from the talks.
“We also rely on innovation for stable systems,” Rutte said. Therefore, we will continue to focus on this innovation path.” Rutte described 2030 or 2035 as “not very relevant in the short term”.
The prime minister said he thinks all four coalition parties should be faster because the toilet was overflowing:
Rutte also said the ministries are holding “formal talks” with the provinces to tackle peak loads and to relocate and requalify these companies. “This will also give space.”
Many leaders of opposition groups showed distrust of it. PVV leader Wilders said Rutte had deceived the entire Netherlands. Pieter Omtzigt pointed out that states would only receive money for nitrogen schemes if they met the government’s goal. “But what is it really?”
SGP boss Van der Staaij believes that at some point everyone will sit and wait for each other: “The agriculture deal is about whether farmers are forced to buy. This question can only be answered if the cabinet creates clarity.”
act of disbelief
The opposition tried to get the word that clarity would come in two weeks. They find two different “views of nitrogen” unacceptable in the cabinet. But Rutte didn’t want that. “What the CDA wants to expect won’t be completed in two weeks,” she said.
GL boss Klaver then filed a motion of no confidence on behalf of PvdA, PVV, PvdD, Denk, BBB, SP, JA21, Groep Van Haga, Volt and Omtzigt. “But the traffic light is orange for us,” Van der Staaij warned, not on behalf of the SGP. 59 deputies voted in favor and 76 against.
Source: NOS

Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.