The readers are relieved, incensed and surprised about the fall of the fourth Rutte cabinet and have their suspicions about why. "Speak the truth, Mr. Rutte, you do not want non-white immigrants to enter our country."

Sick

As a lawyer who has focused his life on helping immigrants (asylum seekers and other victims of violence) it makes me so incredibly sick to see a number of white people argue why predominantly non-whites (asylum seekers) are not allowed to enter our country.

Speak the truth, Mr. Rutte, you and your party, the real reason is racism, you don't want non-white immigrants to enter our country. Most of the asylum seekers I have helped really don't want to leave their country but have no other choice. In addition, most Western European countries are at the root of the political conditions in third world countries that make it necessary for people to leave their countries in order to survive. The least we can do is let them in.
B. John Ovink, Rotterdam

Argument

If the cabinet falls due to a 'fierce argument' about asylum policy (Front page, July 8), how did things go with the files about Groningen gas extraction tremors, nitrogen emissions, housing crisis, corona pandemic, etc.? Disagreement, just infighting, fierce exchange of words, quarrel, anger ... In any case, there was apparently still enough agreement to not (be able to?) solve these issues (just like the asylum policy).

The fact that it is now fallen because the asylum policy is not getting any traction, does not seem to me to be the only reason.
Franck Verhoeks, Soest

Concrete rot

Rutte IV should never have been created. After the fall of Rutte III, Kaag (D66) told the lying prime minister 'this is where our paths part', only to happily sit down in a new cabinet of his, followed by a series of ministers from that previous cabinet, but now in function of treasurer in finance. [In Rutte III she was Foreign Minister]

How believable was that? Time to say goodbye to this generation of politicians responsible for the political concrete rot in The Hague, and make way for a new generation that will have to work hard to regain confidence. This country deserves better.
Hans van Noord, Utrecht

Amnesia and Gaza Genocide