Cuperus, R. (2014) “The secret mission of Frans Timmermans“, Policy Network, 17 September.
Frans Timmermans is now Juncker’s number two in the new European Commission. Formally in charge of ‘Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,’ his more difficult undertaking will likely be the informal task of keeping the UK in the EU
Last year, the Kings’s Speech (Speech from the Throne, ‘’Troonrede’’) by Dutch King William Alexander at the Opening of the new parliamentary year, provoked a lot of reactions, both domestically and internationally. In the speech, it seemed as if the Dutch post-war welfare state was abolished, substituted by a so-called ‘’participation society’’ based on mutual individualism. This was only partly true. Indeed, the coalition of conservative liberals (VVD) and social-democrats (PvdA) did design and put into action an unprecedented decentralisation operation towards city councils and social organisations (care, employment), but in terms of rights, one cannot seriously argue that the Netherlands is getting rid of its welfare state.
Last Tuesday, the King’s Speech dealt more than ever with the outside world. That is to say: the threatening geopolitical situation at the borders of the affluent European welfare states. The war against IS in Iraq and Syria, the Gaza-war between Israel and Palestine, the tensions in Ukraine. The King mentioned the air crash of flight MH17,a huge national tragedy for the Netherlands. Nearly 200 fellow countrymen were shot down and killed in the airspace above the eastern parts of Ukraine, including Labour Party Senator, Willem Witteveen, who as a law professor was one of the finest connoisseurs and guardians of the Dutch rule of law (‘’Rechtstaat’’). He was killed with his wife and student-daughter.
The King pointed at tensions in Dutch society between groups of Muslim jihadi’s and extreme right groups, especially in the city of The Hague. ‘’The situations in northern Iraq, Syria and Gaza have generated tensions in the Netherlands, as well as feelings of powerlessness and insecurity. The hate that tears communities apart elsewhere in the world must not be allowed to spill over into our streets.’’
As an unforeseen side-effect of the tragic MH17-aircrash, Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans (PvdA) became very popular in the Netherlands. His powerful and moving speech at the UN Security Council touched a chord with the Dutch public, who is mourning the death of so many Dutchmen and is furious about the way the aftermath of the air crash disaster was handled by the Russian separatists in East Ukraine.
Relevant posts:
- Schweiger, C. (2014) “Juncker, Tusk, Mogherini and the EU’s credibility crisis“, Ideas on Europe Blog, 07 September.
- Dale, E. & Porcaro, G. (2014) “Juncker’s new start for Europe – a brief summary of past Bruegel research as it relates to Juncker’s new agenda for the European Commission“, Bruegel Institute, 23 July.
- Wolff, Β. G. (2014) “Why Juncker’s industrial goals are unlikely to be achieved“, Bruegel Institute, 16 July.