« Not surprised, but disappointed. » In Rotterdam-West, the cabinet trap is found to be the umpteenth political ‘harrowwar’

A Dutch flag hangs on a balcony on the Mathenesserplein in Rotterdam-West. A few in the neighborhood hoisted the flag outside to celebrate the fall of the cabinet.

Yet there is mainly political apathy on the street. Two Moroccan-Dutch middle-aged men are sitting on a bench opposite the knotted flag. One of them responds surprised when the question is asked what he thinks of the cabinet trap. Politics is « nothing » for him, but he doesn’t find it amazing. « Everyone is always grabbed power. Now again. But it never works! » He smiling his hands in the air.

Bicycle repairer Richard Zuiderweg (59) is a few bank seats away, and finds the « political game » hopeless. « Why does nobody agree? It is just harrow. » Zuiderweg first saw something in Wilders’ plans, but he doesn’t like his attacking style of political companies. The political crises have reduced his confidence in politicians to zero. « It seems like they hate each other. »

For others in Rotterdam-West, residents with both Dutch and with international roots, the cabinet trap is especially more of the same. The politicians are not there for them, is it sentiment, so why would you deal with politics? « This is our politics, » says a man with Cape Verdean roots, who nubbles at the café on the corner after a day of work. Laughing he points to his beer.

A few streets further sounds of children. There is a neighborhood party going on, organized by the local primary school. There too, the parents keep it NRC Prefer to speak outside of politics. They prefer to refer to their adult daughter, their husband or the school board.

Cutbacks

Aziem Jarmohamed (41), director of the school, wants to say something about the fall of the cabinet in a personal title. He is not surprised, about the fall. Disappointed, although he would not imitate the cabinet members. « This government is the voice of the people, and just stand out to pick up something that others have left. But rule is not the same as opposition, and they continue to do that. »

Do you choose the well -being of your fellow man or your own gain?

The fall is awkward, especially for him in education. There have been cuts above his head for years. « The future is being cut, » says Jarmohamed. « The plans for education have stood still for two, three years, and that is disastrous. »

Those stagnant plans for cutbacks on education have now been postponed to new elections. « It’s a shame that we now have to wait again for a new government that has to lead the country. »

Jarmohamed has little confidence that politicians, « also those abroad, will actually do that, » lead. « Is it about the people in your country, or is it the party to be the biggest? Do you choose the well -being of your fellow man or for your own gain? » According to the school director, the latter is the case.

He is interrupted by a child who comes to say hello and giggling away again.

« Look how many nationalities are walking around here on this square. More than forty. » Jarmohamed looks at the cotton candy, playing, chatting, cheerful crowd on the square. « And the children all treat each other very nicely. They see no difference. Quarrels can arise, but even then you continue to show respect. »

Put that to the way politicians treat each other, the director says. “If children now Juvenile Watching and seeing how the leaders of the country behave, with those constant crises without getting closer to each other … That is not a good example for children. We teachers have to show exemplary behavior, and leaders of the country completely.  »

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