Mark Rutte appeared relaxed and often looking at his phone before Dutch MPs on Tuesday, December 12, at a meeting intended to establish his negotiating mandate ahead of the European summit on Thursday and Friday. A process in line with the Dutch parliamentary tradition, respected by an outgoing prime minister who suffered defeat in the November 22 elections but will represent his country in Brussels in the absence of a new coalition. Hours of debates, mainly focused on the country's position in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, made it possible to reach a position on Ukraine: Kiev will continue to be able to benefit from the countries' financial, diplomatic and humanitarian support – Down .
Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers In the Netherlands, the extreme right is looking for allies for power
The discussion was about determining Mr Rutte's position during the summit, which left-wing MP Kati Piri said could lead to a “total fiasco” on the eve of the opening. However, the debates took place in a particular political context: the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the prime minister's party, and its three generally pro-European allies actually lost control after the November elections. And this defeat primarily benefited two Europhobic groups, Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom and the Citizen Farmer Movement, as well as another Eurosceptic party, reformer Pieter Omtzigt's New Social Contract (NSC). These three parties are currently discussing the formation of a possible majority with the VVD.
In order to further support Kiev, a majority of MPs also agreed to start negotiations with a view to possible accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union and insisted on strict compliance with the established criteria, including the fight against corruption. The parties of the outgoing majority, together with the socialist and ecological opposition, but also the NSC, have expressed themselves in this direction.
Long and difficult negotiations
Caspar Veldkamp, NSC MP and former diplomat, argued for opt-out options that the Netherlands should negotiate on immigration. His support for Ukraine highlighted the differences between his party and that of Geert Wilders, his potential government partner. For his part, Emiel Van Dijk, MP for the Party for Freedom, spoke out against the start of accession negotiations and against any enlargement. He also rejected the idea of new financial aid to Ukraine. The far-right party also wants the country to take back sole control over immigration and close its borders completely.
You still have 30% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.