After the cabinet trap, mayors hope to be able to continue ‘with a new cabinet that is not constantly working on themselves’

In the daily practice of the registration center in Ter Apel in Groningen, the « strictest asylum policy ever » meant a year long, says Mayor Jaap Velema (D66). He was not surprised that Wilders gave up on Tuesday morning, he is not sad. With Minister Marjolein Faber (asylum and migration, PVV) he said he had « extremely nice and friendly » contact, although they only sporadically talked to each other. « As soon as it was about the content, it became very difficult, » says Velema. « She went blindly for limiting the intake because then the problem resolves itself, her thought was. » He sighs. « It was that simple. »

This minister lacked administrative skills to solve problems, says Velema. « She is cut from completely different wood. » Faber also did not have Rolodex full of contacts to be able to cope with acute emergency situations. « The outcome is that nothing has changed in Ter Apel in a year, even when it comes to getting accelerated disadvantaged and nuisance asylum seekers from the shelter – a shared wish of her and the municipality. »

Velema soon had contact with various fellow mayors on Tuesday. The tenor of those conversations? « The hope that we can continue now, with a new cabinet that is not constantly working on itself. »

Housing in Barneveld

In Barneveld (Gelderland), a large majority of the 63,000 inhabitants had high expectations of precisely this cabinet ‘from the right -hand cut’, says Mayor Jacco van der Tak (CDA). In the nine villages that the municipality has, voting is quite different, but the common denominator is clear: « There is a right-wing conservative majority here. » The SGP is the largest party locally, in the last national elections Wilders’ PVV and the BBB of Caroline van der Plas scored well. Van der Tak: « It is a bit exaggerated, but in a sense, Barneveld is the Netherlands in the small. »

This also applies to the problems that play in the growth municipality. In the coming years, the population must go to 85,000. This is difficult due to the lagging housing. Especially because the nearby Hoevelaken junction must also be overhauled. And all that is again difficult to realize with the nitrogen problems that affects nature and the farmer in the Veluwe. « It has been leading to uncertainty in the yard for ages, » says Van der Tak. « People want to know where they stand and therefore had high expectations of precisely this cabinet. » Apart from « a more respectful approach to the farmers », the Barneveld yielded little concrete.

Nuclear power stations in Terneuzen

In Zeeland, one of the most important ambitions of the cabinet had to take shape: new nuclear power stations. In addition to the already intended construction of two nuclear power stations, the right -wing coalition wanted to build two extra nuclear power plants. Minister Sophie Hermans (Climate, VVD) recently indicated that he would prefer Zeeland.

This to the satisfaction of Terneuzen, which sees opportunities on a new life impulse due to employment that is accompanied by the construction and management of a central. Responsible alderman Laszlo van de Voorde (PvdA): « This case now fallen has really given this file a different dynamic. » On the other hand, he is less enthusiastic about the implementation of the plans. « For these parties, the practice also found to find several suitable locations to be unruly. »

Yet he keeps good hope. « I expect that in The Hague the plans to come to at least two new power stations will be continued as usual. » It will certainly not be on Terneuzen. On Wednesday evening there is a walk -in evening for residents to ask all their questions, Thursday the city council will be on to herald the next phase.

Asylum seekers center in Best

For example, uncertainty and hope are currently fighting for priority throughout administrative Netherlands. Take the Brabant Best, which was previously willing to relieve Ter Apel by taking up asylum seekers. In April it led to serious disturbances, after which acting mayor Rianne Donders (CDA) minister Faber an open letter For help asked: « This is no longer the way it goes. Violence should not pay in our democratic constitutional state. » The invitation to come to Best (« you are very welcome ») remained unanswered.

When asked about the consequences of the cabinet trap, Donders says: « Everyone will see a different signal in it, I think. Opponents of an asylum seekers’ center in Best may think that the intention is now of the job, others will hope that the old thread from before this cabinet will be picked up again. » After a short silence: « The fact is that there is still an acute problem in Ter Apel and we, here in Best, are also partly responsible for the solution. »

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