Harsh words are used in the first political reactions to the report of the committee of inquiry. Opposition party PVV concludes that the government has failed incredibly and that the safety and health of the people of Groningen played no role. Party leader Wilders believes that things should be put in order for the people of Groningen and that Prime Minister Rutte should resign. “He was Prime Minister throughout the process and he failed.”
The PvdA finds it unbelievable that it has come to this. PvdA MP Nijboer says in a response that the government has not protected Groningen residents and that he is affected by the conclusions. Like the committee, the PvdA speaks of a debt of honor: “Damage, repair and reinforcement must finally take place properly.” The party believes that investments should be made in facilities, quality of life and sustainability of the villages.
Consciously remained deaf
SP Member of Parliament Beckerman believes that the people of Groningen have been deliberately destroyed by the Rutte cabinets. According to her, the painful thing about today is that there is little news in the report, but “that Groningen has been saying this for years and Rutte remained deaf”. She speaks of a cruel, cowardly and disastrous policy that must be stopped.
GroenLinks leader Klaver calls it “inhumane that the government has consistently put the financial interests of the State, Shell and Exxon above the safety of the people of Groningen”. And Volt foreman Dassen thinks the report is yet another example of how thoroughly wrong things are with the management culture.
- Committee of inquiry: gas extraction disastrous for Groningen residents, the Netherlands has a debt of honor
