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Rutte Looks for Exit from Dutch Politics

by Oui Thu Jul 6th, 2023 at 04:05:13 PM EST

BREAKING NEWS: PM Mark Rutte ends his political career, will not lead the VVD into the forced general election. [Update: 10 July 10AM]

The one man lobbyist for Royal Shell, Unilever, DSM, ASML and multinationals in pharmacy, petrochemicals with shareholders evading taxation on dividends.

Mark failed to impress NATO member states in the campaign for SG as Joe personally appeared to have picked a girl ... ehh female, breaking glass ceiling and all that to prevent any discussion on the wisdom of a proxy war with Russia across the Ukraine.

Rutte on a collision course and threatens to vote on asylum measures: 'Cabinet could fall tonight'


Survival of Rutte's fourth Cabinet uncertain amid asylum policy infighting

The future of the fourth Cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte is uncertain, unnamed sources from both the Cabinet and the coalition parties told RTL Nieuws, AD, ANP, the Telegraaf and NOS on Thursday. This comes in the wake of discussions held on Wednesday night among the coalition parties regarding the influx of asylum seekers and other migration issues. A new round of talks is scheduled for Thursday evening. If a compromise cannot be reached during this meeting, it might lead to the immediate dissolution of the coalition.

Rutte I-II-III-IV coming to an abrupt end as the Netherlands is heading into a recession, new austerity measures, leaving everyone behind in total chaos. The Liberal VVD Party juggling multiple cans as Rutte kicked them forward down the road leading to a cliff.

America’s Proxy War in Ukraine

… will wipe $2.6 trillion off the global economy.

Which European country spent the most supporting people through the energy crisis?

In total the countries of the EU, plus the UK and Norway, have spent or earmarked more than $800 billion (€792 billion) to support energy consumers and customers, according to Bruegel, an economic policy think tank. By far the biggest spender, on most metrics, is Germany, which has allocated a massive €268 billion to support energy consumers.

Here’s how the total spending of some of Europe’s biggest economies looks in euros x 109
UK - 103.3
Italy - 93.3
France - 92.1
Spain - 40.2
Netherlands - 39.2

Personally? Dutch Cabinet of warmonger Mark Rutte pushes higher taxes due to cost of war and military investments, greed inflation, cost of living spiraling out of control, sky rocketing profits in some sectors and announced austerity measures will hit my generation unevenly very hard, living on a meager pension and small investments. Already cost me thousands of Euros and will increase into tens of thousands in 2023-2024. My retirement plan has been torn up and replaced by great uncertainty. The boomers were not at all advantageous as we too have seen the ups and downs of the economy, periods of high inflation, long duration of unemployment, early retirement to offer jobs to younger generation.

During the Purple coalition of Dutch PM Wim Kok, a former head of largest labor union FNV, the social fabric of society was torn-up. Solidarity as common term was dropped in the waste bin.

Interesting read what NATO should have been about …

Statement @NATO by Wim Kok, Prime Minister of the Netherlands | May 28, 2002 |

Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of today's European Union, said that Europe will not be built as a complete structure, nor will it be built overnight; it will be built in a series of concrete achievements, creating first of all a de facto solidarity. The same goes for our common aim of creating a transatlantic zone of peace, security and stability spreading from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Today's inaugural session of the NATO Russia Council is such a concrete step forward on the path of ever growing cooperation between NATO and Russia, which we started some ten years ago. I want to congratulate Secretary General Robertson and his staff and the negotiators on behalf of president Putin for their successful conclusion of this agreement.

This success has been brought about by a fundamental change in our strategic security environment: it is no longer each other that we fear.

Both NATO and Russia increasingly have to cope with the same security challenges, such as terrorism, proliferation and regional instability, and we have the same security interests. Former adversaries have now become partners in creating democracy and the rule of law, peace and stability in Europe. A step rightly qualified as historic.

The Netherlands wholeheartedly welcomes the development. Seeing the flagpoles of the 20 countries of the NATO Russia Council standing together is symbolic for our determination to give new substance to our cooperation. It also reminds me of the centruries-old relations between Russia and the Netherlands. For the Russian word "flagshtok", which is flagpole, is a Dutch word. It dates back to our close ties in the times of Peter the Great.

The most important challenge now is to make the NATO Russia Councila strong and result oriented framework for practical cooperation.


So let's all commit ourselves to come up with good results soon, even before the Prague Summit. [became known as a “Transformation” summit]


Success feeds on itself!

The Bleakness of the 80s

Wim Kok was the Prime Minister, and as leader of the Labor Party PvdA (Partij van de Arbeid), it was expected that a left-wing administration would introduce wage increases and that the average citizen could enjoy more access to disposable funds. But, sadly, the economic reality around the world was pretty bleak. In the UK, the mines were closing, miners were striking, and Margaret Thatcher was, well, Thatchering.

Beyond all that, the Cold War was a constant backdrop to world politics; nukes, red buttons, distrust, and a global fuel shortage. This meant Wim Kok couldn’t introduce the expected wage increases at home because the Netherlands was facing an economic crisis just like the rest of the Western world.

The Labor party leader had to meet with trade unions and convince them that keeping wages as they were and, in fact, introducing a cap on wages was the best way forward for everyone. If they increased wages, companies would not be able to afford to keep staff; this would lead to redundancies and layoffs, rising unemployment, and actually creating more poverty than wealth. Keeping wages steady meant people could keep their jobs, and the country might navigate its way out of the economic crisis. Wim Kok was right. His tactics worked, but what about this event was an example of the Polder Model?

The Polder Model is when several political parties agree to a compromise and establish a multi-party policy based on trust and goodwill. The cap on wages and economic caution in 1980s Holland yielded excellent results.

The Netherlands entered the 1990s stronger and more secure than expected. So the Polder Model is when the government does not govern alone but considers the points of view and needs of other parties and affected groups. This manifests itself in so many parts of Dutch life; housing corporations, financial institutes, marketing agencies, school boards, etc. will ask everyone for their opinion.

Came across an interesting debate @EuroTrib

The Dutch turned right? | das monde on Jan 10th, 2006 |

Display:
Russia's war on Ukraine has forced us in Germany to think differently about our role in the world | The Guardian Opinion |

Everyone has a choice and bears responsibility for all their acts ... you listened to Washington voices Antony Blinken, Joe Biden and Lloyd Austin. Germany failed to protect Europe from a new war forced on them by an aggressive United States of America. Big failure of diplomacy and pressured from bullying tactics of a surging US and a flailing EU in Brussels. The fact that Joe wants VDL as successor is a very troublesome development. The dangers lie in personal careers and accumulation of wealth. Oligarchs by any means in a revolving doors within the elites and establishment. The citizens should protest, but are dazed by days, weeks, month  ... years of a war narrative and propaganda by MSM and Big Tech social media.

People are dying in Ukraine and millions are escaping from the scenes of an ugly war. There is no future of the EU based on NATO doctrine.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Jul 6th, 2023 at 10:27:38 PM EST
.

Ukraine Loses 500 Fighters as Russia Unleashes TOS-1 Flamethrowers; Kyiv's Two Su-25 Jets Gutted

Not much to ask from NATO partners in Vilnius ...

Zelenskyy on promise of NATO membership: not such a high price for war

"We understand that we will be in NATO in a few years
or after the war, depending on what the members
of the Alliance decide. But it is necessary to give
a signal to motivate Ukraine to defend Europe.
This is not such a high price for such a war
and such suffering."


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Jul 6th, 2023 at 10:49:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by Cat on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 08:22:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]
No chance for Ukraine to fall ... neither will Crimea.

Most likely a frozen conflict, not similar to Korea ... as Russia needs a hot SMO to keep NATO out. Ukraine nation the modern Grozny. Chechens fighting on both sides.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 10:32:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]
< wipes tears >
by Cat on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 12:20:32 AM EST
Recently boy king Willem Alexander made apologies for centuries af slave trade and House of Orange profiteering from slavery. Perhaps Mark Rutte could lead some Orange Marches through the suburbs of Belfast?

Close relationship of VVD leader Mark Rutte and the Tory leaders and policy in GB 🇬🇧 explained ...

The British kings and queens who supported and profited from slavery

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 07:03:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Qualified insight from leading Russophobe Ivo Daalder ...

Race to become NATO's next leader heats up | Axios - June 3, 2022 |

  • Some of the potential top contenders, such as Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have said they aren't interested.  

The first marker both are/were contenders. 😊

Mark Rutte has made too many enemies across Europe over the past 13 years ... Erdogan has bore the brunt.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 06:44:31 AM EST
A war crime ...

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions ("bomblets") over an area.

Will the ICC prosecutor Khan open an investigation into US war crimes?

President Biden and his NWO of Christian moral values ... endurance test throughout history since 1776.

Cluster Munitions and the Law

Biden's German ally in Ukraine and NATO's clear vision  ...

  • Stoltenberg: US cluster bombs would be for Ukraine's defense
  • Germany opposes sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, minister says


  • 'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 05:54:24 PM EST
    Ukraine - Biden Again Escalates | MoA |

    The Washington Post says that the U.S. will now give cluster munition to Ukraine.

    The munition will be 155mm grenades, Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), that can be fired by 'western' provided artillery.

    [...]

    The Pentagon claims that the ammunition it will provide has a lower dud rate. But it never produced data from tests that would support its claims.

    By agreeing to provide the munition Biden is circumventing or breaking the law:

      There is no waiver provision in the 1 percent limit Congress has placed on cluster munition dud rates, written into Defense Department appropriations for the last seven years. Biden would bypass it and Congress, according to a White House official, drawing down the munitions from existing defense stocks under a rarely used provision of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows the president to provide aid, regardless of appropriations or arms export restrictions, as long as he determines that it is in the vital U.S. national security interest.

    Unfortunately neither Congress nor the courts are likely to intervene.

    The cluster ammunition, like the Uranium tank ammunition the U.S. and Britain have sent to Ukraine, will make large parts of the country inhabitable and unusable for agricultural purposes. It will also make attacks and retreats through affected areas difficult for military forces on both sides.

    McCaul, Risch, Wicker Release Statement on Long-Overdue Transfer of DPICMs to Ukraine, Call for ATACMS and F-16s

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 08:01:06 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    The Heat or Eat diaries: Poverty | The Guardian |

    The other day in the supermarket I was accused of stealing. Heartlessness has crept into everyday life

    The third sector and charities, which originally stepped in to fill gaps in the benefits system, now make up most of the support given to people. The responsibility of catering to sick people, unemployed people, pensioners and low-income workers increasingly falls on to their shoulders. But their shoulders won't be able to bear this burden for much longer if things continue to regress.

    I am, on the whole, happy to be back at work, even though my health conditions can make it difficult at times. Still, at the back of my mind is a lingering fear that if my health deteriorates to the point where I can't work, I'll be back in abject poverty.

    Access to Work, a government scheme, helped me return to work. I am grateful for that and do not begrudge paying my tax, but sometimes I wish it wasn't going to a government capable of such a callous disregard for the country's poor people. Last year, when the home secretary, Suella Braverman, was discussing incentivising people back into work, she said: "We've got lots of carrots to get people into work, but we've got to add ... a bit more stick." Braverman's words come from either a place of ignorance about the lives of those at the thin end of the wedge of modern Britain, or a total lack of compassion.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 06:26:09 PM EST
    Leaving the Netherlands in a great economic and social mess ... the worst Dutch PM in my lifetime 1945 on forward. Certainly hope the electorate sees through the blah-blah-blah of the Conservative (Tory) VVD party policy. Using immigration and asylum seekers as breaking point? WTF complete bull$hit of a rightwing fanaticus. You and NATO are fighting a proxy war where tens of thousands innocent people have dies and millions have fled the war.

    Dutch government in crisis over asylum measures | Politico |

    BREAKING NEWS:

    Live: Cabinet Rutte IV fallen * Coalition parties fail to reach agreement on asylum policy

    I call it as I see it .. 😡 my vote to end all wars, certainly not in my backyard ... end NATO war narrative ... fight for peace ☮️

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 06:41:56 PM EST
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 10:57:20 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    PM Mark Rutte disbands cabinet after four parties in government coalition disagree over asylum seeker policy | The Guardian |

    A push by Rutte's conservative VVD party to limit the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands split his four-party government coalition, as two junior parties refused to support his proposals.

    Tensions came to a head this week, when Rutte demanded support for a proposal to limit entrance for children of war refugees who are already in the Netherlands and to make families wait at least two years before they can be united.

    Elections Rutte IV -- VVD 34 - D66 24 - CDA 15 - CU 5 for total 78 seats.

    Both D66 and CU oppose the harsh asylum policy proposals Rutte tried to push down their throats. D66 is NOT a junior party. Worthless reporting. The whole Rutte act is to please the rightwing extreme groups of xenophobes and Islamophobes. Dutch politics taking a further turn to the right as the lack of solving problems in society are becoming insurmountable handicap.

    Pressure on Mark Rutte from within his own VVD party at the Congress in 2022 and early this year ...  



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 at 09:41:03 PM EST
    Opinion: The hypocrites from The Hague | August 2020 |

    No question, the Dutch are my favourite among the European neighbours.
    But ever since the poison of right-wing extremist nationalism started penetrating deeper and deeper into Dutch politics, this beautiful image has increasingly disappeared behind ugly patches of ignorance and narrow-mindedness. And this is happening to the detriment of all of Europe.

    Prime Minister Mark Rutte demonstrated this during the negotiations on the EU budget and the Coronavirus relief package. There, he rallied as the leader of the "frugal" camp which opposed the supposed threat of wasting taxpayers' money on economically weaker EU states. With this dictum, Rutte and his allies pushed through extensive cuts and turned more than €100 billion of planned grants into mere loans. This will not help the particularly hard-hit Italians and Spaniards because their state coffers are already heavily in debt.

     

    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 10:19:11 AM EST
    Rutte IV took nearly a year in formation ... it was a total failure -- DOD.

    We shouldn't be surprised by the chaos in the Netherlands | Open Democracy - March 2021 |

    Conspiracy-fuelled riots sizzle on the streets of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the Dutch cabinet has collapsed in a racist child benefit scandal. We are the last country in Europe to start vaccinating and have the second highest wealth inequality in the rich world. Our print media is owned by just two corporations and we are performing worse on climate change than our European neighbours. My adopted home likes to present itself as the prefect of Europe. But in reality, the Netherlands is a mess.

    Yet polls say that the shambolic ruling party, the Liberal Party (VVD), is set to gain seats in the national election on 17 March. Its leader, prime minister Mark Rutte will likely lead his fourth consecutive cabinet and his nearest rival, Geert Wilders, who wants to ban the Koran and deport Muslims, is also set to gain seats.

    I first moved to Amsterdam from the UK in 2004, and have lived here on and off with my Dutch partner ever since. I've often wondered "wtf is going on in this country?"

    Netherlands in Revolt

    In January, violent riots broke out across the country. Instigated by fascists, conspiracy theorists and football hooligans, the early protests also included many people - including a friend of ours - who weren't necessarily on the ultra Right, but who strongly objected to the first night-time curfew - an anti-COVID measure - since the Nazi occupation of the Second World War.

    Eerily, though the riots broke out only weeks ago, it already feels like they never happened. For Sylvana Simons, a former MTV presenter who is now the leader of the upstart anti-racist party, Bij1, which hopes to gain its first seats next week, this is a peculiar trait of the Netherlands. "What is happening is what always happens in this country, we don't talk about it. If we don't talk about it, it does not exist," says Simons.

    This has led to crisis after crisis rumbling on unresolved for years. Intensive farming is producing dangerous nitrogen levels. Gas drilling by Shell and Exxon Mobil is triggering hundreds of earthquakes, wrecking homes in Groningen. Thousands of people have been bankrupted by false allegations of benefit fraud. But we'll come to that.

    Fear, hope and discontent

    "There are three things that motivate voters," says political consultant Sybren Kooistra, "fear, hope and discontent. And the extreme-Right parties are the only ones mobilising discontent".

    There's good reason for discontent. Since the 1980s, healthcare has been privatised, housing and labour markets have been deregulated. The public sector has been squashed. And this accelerated after the 2008 financial crisis. Between 2011 and 2016, Rutte-led cabinets implemented austerity measures worth €47.4bn, including big cuts to public sector pay, social security and care - even though government debt was low relative to its GDP.

    As a result, half the population can't find an affordable home, and homelessness doubled between 2009 and 2019 to 40,000. A million people live below the poverty line. More than 30% of workers are in precarious jobs, the third highest proportion in Europe after Poland and Spain. There are teacher shortages and public transport is rusting. More than half of intensive care beds have gone in the past ten years.

    Europe Versus Coronavirus - The "Intelligent Lockdown" Gamble of the Netherlands

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 10:20:27 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    It was mostly due to self-destruct and poor choice in coalition to partner with the VVD. Together with the period of PM Wim Kok, shedding feathers of social-democracy and principled human rights position. Selling out to corporatism and capitalism with little scruples.

    The Netherlands: a further shift to the right | March 2017 |

    The most remarkable development was the implosion of the center-left Pvda (Partij van de Arbeid, Labour Party) from 38 to 9 seats. This loss was larger than expected; the party broke its own 2002-record [the rise of Pim Fortuyn] and suffered the largest electoral loss in Dutch political history. But that the PvdA would lose badly was foreseen. In the elections of 2012 the party had tacked left to stave of a left-wing challenge from the SP (Socialistische Partij) but afterwards chose to form a government coalition with the VVD and for four years implemented right-wing policies. That the Labour Party would be punished for this was to be expected and this is nothing to mourn.

    More worrying is that the rest of the left has not profited from the implosion of the PvdA. Many former PvdA-voters instead went to rightwing parties or did not vote at all. The right-wing as a whole gained new seats.

    For many progressives the news of the growth of GroenLinks (GreenLeft, GL) from 4 to 14 seats was a spark of light. Polls indicate a quarter of the disappointed PvdA-voters chose GL this time. GL had a campaign that was not only attractive in its style (gutsy and optimistic) but also put forward political points such as climate change, anti-racism and in general a rejection of the nationalism that has come to dominate Dutch politics.

    GL was organized in the nineties as a fusion of different left-wing parties, among them the Communist Party. The party moved to the political center and after the turn of the century embraced a self-described 'progressive liberal' course. In 2012, GL supported a right wing coalition, enabling it to implement austerity measures and neoliberal reforms such as raising the retirement-age as well as the sending of Dutch police to Afghanistan. This orientation was punished in the following elections, which saw the party lose heavily, and since then GL has again adopted a leftist profile.

    Related reading ...

    JP Balkenende: Press Conference after Dutch NO Vote on EU Charter! | May 2005 |

    Today's generation of Dutch do not realize, sovereignty was cast aside to NATO and president Joe Biden.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 11:22:03 AM EST


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 11:54:39 AM EST
    "The angry citizens can now vote for the VVD with confidence"

    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

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 03:01:18 PM EST
    The Dutch prime minister hands in his resignation as the government collapses over migration, this morning?
    Socialist Party leader Lilian Marijnissen told Dutch broadcaster NOS the collapse of Rutte's government was "good news for the Netherlands. I think that everybody felt that this Cabinet was done. They have created more problems than they solved."
    by Cat on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 06:48:37 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    VVD wanted to create a two-tier system for asylum seekers, with people under threat of persecution granted more rights than those fleeing war zones. It also said the number of family members who could join refugees in the second category should be capped at 200 per year.
    says Politico, confirming a reasonable distinction where none exists for Ruttessake!
    by Cat on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 07:37:53 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    The VVD party pulled the rug from under Cabinet Rutte IV for party politics, not for the well being of the Dutch population or country.

    The partners in the coalition D66 and CDA both do poorly in the polls and are likely to replace the leading candidate ... both VVD and farmers group BBB are leading ex aequo with a small loss for the VVD and massive gain for new party from a single seat to around 25. Very preliminary, but most parties aren't ready for new elections. There is a distinct swing to more extreme right.

    Migrants and asylum seekers is a non-issue amongst many very serious problems 13 years of Rutte failed to resolve. Racism and xenophobia are topics to engage the electorate ... political intelligence way below par.

    Migrants entry nearly 400,000 persons, family reunion approx. 10,000 tops. Lies and MSM narrative does the trick ... populism ruins real democracy.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 08:45:38 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    War Crimes ... unanimous decision NSC has been noted. NATO members involved in support ..

    US decision to send cluster munitions `unanimous', says US national security advisor - video | The Guardian|

    President Joe Biden has approved the shipment of cluster munitions to Ukraine following a unanimous recommendation from his national security team, according to the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. Sullivan acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision, saying it had required a thorough examination of the potential harm to civilians. He said Biden decided to approve the transfer after careful consideration and consultations with allies, partners and members of Congress.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 at 03:29:21 PM EST
    by Cat on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 12:57:10 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Opinion makers and television generals continue to pour flammable liquid on the ugly fire of war in Europe. Warmongering heats up as a frozen conflict appears to be the best Ukraine can muster.

    You had an aggressive Boris Johnson and Mark Rutte to cover the aggression of the Bucharest Nine ... as Ukraine fails in the counter-offensive, the positions of NATO shows its true face as an offensive organization endangering world peace.

    Ivo Daalder from the Atlantic Council issued threats to Russia as a sovereign nation at the time of the NATO Bucharest Summit of 2008 ... the year of George Bush and Dick Cheney. Bullying other members to invite Georgia and Ukraine after their respective color revolutions.

    As Biden is on a bi-lateral path to introduce illegal cluster munitions into the war theater, the Bucharest wants ti go even further and at pressure ahead of the Vilnius Summit. A nice overview of a disunited NATO as declaration takes root. Losing all senses as a punch-drunken boxer going the full 15 rounds.

    As I voiced on 24th Februari last year as diplomacy was not present, once military action starts, all hell and its own war momentum takes over. Preliminary negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were blocked by pressure from Boris Johnson and ended with no result.

    Defeat for Ukraine would be a global disaster. Nato must finally step in to stop Russia | The Observer Opinion |

    Joe Biden is pressured by domestic politics as the Ukraine war campaign moves into an election year. Reminds me of 1968 and the Vietnam War when Lyndon Johnson took the bold step to let Peace talks in Paris prevail over personal ambition. No courage in this bunch of NATO representatives fighting a proxy war without losing lives of its own citizens. The ugliness of military warfare in full sight except the true horror on the frontline is not seen in daily news broadcast and debate calling for escalation, more escalation.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 05:12:14 AM EST
    Meet Edith Schippers from corporate DSM Chemicals

    Edith Schippers appointed as 'scout' for formation of new Cabinet 2017

    Edith Schippers has been asked to explore the various options for forming a new Cabinet based on the preliminary election result. Edith Schippers has been nominated by the intended chair of the parliamentary group of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

    Dutch government coalition talks break down over immigration | Reuters - March 15, 2017 |

    Talks between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD Party and three other parties to form a centrist coalition broke down over a failure to agree on immigration policy, the official overseeing talks said.

    Rutte's VVD emerged as the largest after the March 15 election, in which immigration and the country's relationship with the European Union were major themes.

    The VVD and another conservative party, the Christian Democrats, had been in talks with the centrist D-66 party and the Green Left party, which had never before participated in a government but booked strong gains in the poll.

    "It didn't work," Edith Schippers told reporters in the Hague. "The talks between the ...(parties) are over and will not lead to a new cabinet."

    Rutte's party must now investigate alternatives.

    A more conservative coalition between the VVD, Christian Democrats, D-66 and the ChristenUnie, a socially conservative but economically progressive party, would achieve a small majority in parliament and is widely seen as the most likely to be investigated next.

    The breakdown is likely to set back the formation of a government by months.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 06:49:59 AM EST
    'The buck stops here': Dutch prime minister and his entire Cabinet quits over welfare scandal | Jan. 16, 2021 |

    Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his government have resigned over a harrowing scandal that saw thousands of parents wrongly accused of child benefit fraud.

    Mr Rutte, one of Europe's longest serving leaders, said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until elections in March to avoid disrupting the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    The 53-year-old said the benefits system had gone "terribly wrong", with many innocent parents forced to pay back large amounts of money in child allowance and ending up financially ruined.

    Some families were targeted for investigation by tax officials because they had dual nationality, underscoring longstanding criticisms of systemic racism in the Netherlands.

    "The buck stops here," Mr Rutte, the leader of the liberal VVD party, told a news conference after a meeting during which his four-party coalition cabinet unanimously decided they had to quit.

    "The rule of law must protect its citizens from an all-powerful government, and here that's gone terribly wrong. Mistakes have been made that have resulted in great injustice to thousands of parents."

    Dutch government resigns over child benefits scandal | The Guardian |

    The Dutch government has resigned amid an escalating scandal over child benefits in which more than 20,000 families were wrongly accused of fraud by the tax authority.

    The move came less than a month before parliament was due to break up ahead of general elections scheduled for 17 March. Prime minister Mark Rutte's cabinet is to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new coalition is formed after that vote.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 06:50:44 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    From the diaries ...

    The buck stops here ... however after the longest period to form a new cabinet, the same four parties had the brutality to form Rutte IV with promises of a different "leadership", more transparency, openness to social parties in society and let Parliament play out its role without undue pressure from binding agreements between the four parties in the cabinet of Rutte IV. Authoritarianism from the leading VVD party lifting Mark Rutte into a role of dictator, exactly where Dutch politics again broke down on a non-issue. The conservative parties in the Netherlands are open for immigration ... WHITES ONLY.

    Rutte Memory Loss and Deposed Digital Messages | Oct. 5, 2022 |

    Authoritarian and dictatorial personality not willing to be transparent in policy or decision making. Has been under criticism for years #Conservative #Libertarian

    Not in Dutch government archive ...

      "In the period from November 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022, my Nokia invoice shows that7433 messages were sent. In addition, the invoice states that 1257 SMS messages were sent to and from abroad. This category includes both received and sent messages, the provider cannot distinguish between them," Rutte said.

    The vast majority of policy making and decisions by Rutte cabinet members during the COVID-19 pandemic have been lost forever.

    Only Dutch politician ever convicted of racial discrimination while in office

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 06:51:44 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Fmr. Health Minister open to succeeding Mark Rutte as VVD leader | NL Times - Oct. 21, 2022 |

    It is not Edith Schipper's ambition to succeed Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the leader of the VVD, but she is open to the idea. The former Minister of Public Health said that in a video shared by the VVD on Twitter in which she announced her candidacy for VVD-faction leader in the Senate in the provincial council elections next year.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 06:52:19 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Soft power and losing democracy at home ...

    This July 4, Be Thankful the Biden Administration Has Revived Soft Power | Washington Monthly |

    A 2022 report from the Eurasia Group Foundation, "Democracy's Promise: International Views of America in the Biden Era," found that favorable views of the U.S. and American democracy had increased to over 50 percent, the highest level in four years, but with caveats. Our country is viewed positively for high tech, entertainment, sports, military, and universities but not as much for the health care system, racial discrimination, and the state of our democracy.

    This should not be surprising. The U.S. ranks 26th between Chile and Estonia in the Economist's most recent Democracy Index. Freedom House ranks the U.S. below Argentina and Mongolia in access to political rights and civil liberties. Summing up these studies, international public opinion expert Bruce Stokes concludes, "Those who care about U.S. stature and influence in the world must engage in strengthening American democracy at home." 

    Former President Donald Trump's assault on fair elections and the backing that he receives from most Republicans--even after being indicted--is not, shall we say, a winning narrative for American influence. Neither is Congressional gridlock nor stories of Supreme Court justices accepting gifts from billionaires. America's failure to stem mass shootings makes us a global outlier, and not in a good way. Right-wing state legislatures' attacks on women's reproductive rights are out of sync with our message of personal freedom.

    Nice of Adam Shearer to mention Ben and Jerry's ...

    Ben & Jerry's settles lawsuit, freezes out Israel

    Biden's poor record on universal human rights, sending lethal weapons into conflict zones Israel, Arab States, Yemen and Ukraine ... just to mention a few. No support for the rights of Palestinians on their own land. Hypocrisy.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 02:20:52 PM EST
    Green Left party leader and Labour announced their proposal to enter the next election with a joint list to challenge the Conservative pro-free market VVD party. The Dutch put blame on Mark Rutte for the fall of the cabinet and mess in politics. Of all voters, 72% say it's time to end the era of consecutive Rutte leadership. In his own VVD party, Rutte is by far the preferred candidate. Trust in politics is at an all time low of 15%. It's time to clean house in The Hague politics of jubilation as so many citizens suffer. Rutte was a party man solely for his corporate friends, not a leader to bring people with diverse roots together. For election gain, the VVD sought division as society was hurting. The cabinet minister of D66 Sigrid Kaag and CDA leader Wopke Hoekstra will most likely end their short career as politician.

    Where Will the Green-Labour Alliance in the Netherlands Lead?

    After years of setbacks and right-wing government, the GreenLeft and the Labour Party are deepening their cooperation ahead of March provincial elections. United around a common vision based on social and environmental justice, can the alliance bring progressive change to the Netherlands?

    Two years ago, the Dutch Left was in tatters. After four years of centre-right government, the traditional parties of the Left - GreenLeft, Labour and Socialists - obtained an even worse result than they had at the already disastrous elections of 2017. The defeat was particularly striking considering that the government, led by the pro-market Liberal Party, had a poor track record in dealing with environmental issues and was forced to step down in 2021 after a years-long injustice in dealing with the worst off.

    Now two years later, the Left has regained a measure of self-confidence and electoral potential through far-reaching cooperation between the GreenLeft and the social-democratic Labour Party. Why is cooperation now possible? How does cooperation in the Netherlands compare to progressive alliances in other countries? What does it hold for the future?



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 03:51:59 PM EST
    ... term used by Iroquois to describe white settlers from Virginia.

    Dutch opposition unite for a no confidence vote to send Mark Rutte packing ...

    Opposition wants to remove PM Rutte from Office (het Torentje) immediately | De Telegraaf |

    The dust from the fall of the Rutte IV cabinet has barely settled when a new chapter in the Hague saga begins. The House of Representatives will return from the summer recess on Monday for a debate on the fall of the cabinet. Opposition parties are sharpening their knives: they will make an attempt to immediately evict Prime Minister Rutte from "het Torentje".

    History ...



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 06:54:46 PM EST
    The opposition wants Rutte to leave the Torentje immediately: he would have put self-interest above the national interest

    The left-wing and right-wing opposition want to use the parliamentary debate on the fall of the cabinet on Monday to submit a motion of no confidence against Mark Rutte. If that motion is supported by a majority, the VVD leader will have to resign as prime minister immediately.

    De Volkskrant by Frank Hendrickx
    9 July 2023, 22:10

    Losing the no confidence vote would force the resignation of Rutte and withdrawal of his VVD ministers from the cabinet. A minority coalition would form a caretaker cabinet with Sigrid Kaag (D66) as acting prime minister until the election in November and months thereafter as a new cabinet is formed. Interesting times indeed. By pulling the plug on Rutte IV, Rutte took a gamble ... he should pay a heavy price. I am sure the proxy war US v. Russia will continue without him. No sweat.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 9th, 2023 at 08:35:38 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Great upheaval as Rutte pulled the plug to end Rutte IV ... even amongst the most fervent racist influencers on Dutch television ... his electorate together with Geert Wilders ... voice their anguish, enough of Mark Rutte, time to move on without him.

    Social media anger has entered the national broadcast studio ... need some more AI to calm the waters of the sudden storm of criticism. Another political tsunami coming this Fall in Dutch election? A nation w/o a leader and many members of parliament have had enough of social media stalking and online threats. Holland on its smallest ... masks have fallen.

    Rutte and VVD prefer joining extreme right fanatics

    Mark Rutte hopes to pull off the trick again, but is taking a huge political gamble

    Mark Rutte is taking a huge gamble by blowing up his own cabinet. He thinks he will get a cabinet in return with which the VVD can work better. But there are few guarantees. For the first time in thirteen years, the political playing field is completely open.

    Natalie Righton -- De Volkskrant
    July 10, 2023, 5:00 AM

    It promises to be a very ugly campaign with more firework than serious discussion to solve the problems facing the country on domestic issues. Like the United States, foreign policy or the EU will not be on the agenda.

    The big loss of the combined four coalition parties in the election for senate seats, made governing by dictate from Mark Rutte impossible ... so he set fire to his cabinet. Self-centered and more than foolish. The essence of the asylum quarrel was a non-issue. Oprotten Rutte ⁉️

    Mark Rutte deliberately blew up his own cabinet. The VVD deliberately forced a crisis. | Labour Party PvdA |

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 06:11:46 AM EST
    The Dutch government has been rocked by scandal. Why does its leader remain untainted? | ECPR Political Science blog - Jan. 22, 2021 |

    Today's headlines in international media ..

    It appears Rutte has lost the media narrative ... he is finished as this will damage his carefully sculpted image. The opposition wants Rutte out of office as he has used "het Torentje" as pulpit to promote himself and the VVD during campaigning. Rutte even got a weekly presentation on national television on the state of affairs. Unheard of in a democracy.

    Rutte says he's not to blame for Cabinet's collapse, but coalition parties say otherwise

    Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the "firmness" he showed this week during discussions with other Cabinet was not constructive, but that was not the reason for this fourth Cabinet's collapse on Friday. He does not blame himself, saying only that he "could have presented his objections more kindly."

    [...]
    Other parties did point their finger at the current VVD leader for the collapse of the Cabinet. CDA party chairman Pieter Heerma called his attitude bordering on reckless and "irresponsibly harsh," when speaking to Nieuwsuur.

    Rutte put pressure on the negotiations by grilling ChristenUnie over there position on the influx of asylum seekers, and threatening a rare roll call vote during the Council of Ministers meeting over the matter, sources said. Heerma thinks that "borders on reckless politics".

    Mark Rutte hands in resignation as Dutch government collapses over asylum row | The Guardian - July 8, 2023 |

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 06:48:20 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Colleagues did not see the announcement of Rutte's resignation coming: 'Total surprise'.

    Debate ends * 'Parliament discussion fall of cabinet went in a good mood' * Schippers not the new VVD party leader

    Rutte: No idea what I'm going to do, maybe teach 'Not to NATO'

    The VVD leader does not want to characterize his almost 13-year premiership. "Others should do that." He says he doesn't know what he's going to do yet. Now he already teaches social studies once a week at the Johan de Witt College in The Hague. "Maybe I'll do that for a few days". He says he is not interested in a top job, for example at NATO.

    Interesting for psychologists ... why specifically mention of the position at NATO⁉️

    Of course he was a candidate ... axed by president Joe Biden? Painful.

    Statement Pieter Omtzigt

    One of leading members of Dutch parliament, former Christian Democrat until taken down during consultation building Rutte IV. Another shameful act and "loss of memory" of Mark Rutte. Got greatest number of preference votes good enough for 5 seats in parliament.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 05:40:33 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    GAME OVER! NO RUTTE V 😊

    No surprise as Mark was looking for an exit and try to benefit his party for timing and topic: close the border to asylum seekers. He failed at the European level.

    The one moment a vote of confidence could have passed ... opposition got wet feet as Rutte himself came with announcement: "I did some soul searching this weekend." Rutte ends with a bucket full of lies and plenty of corpses left behind in the closet at "het Torentje".

    Rutte stops as party leader VVD and announces departure from politics

    Mark Rutte leaves politics. In his statement prior to the debate on the fall of his fourth cabinet, he said that he would not be the leader of the VVD again. He still wants to stay on as outgoing prime minister until after the elections when there is a new cabinet.

    "There has been speculation in recent days about what would motivate me. The only answer is: the Netherlands," Rutte said. "My position is completely subordinate to that. On Sunday I decided that I will not be available as a leader for the VVD in the upcoming elections."

    Such a nice chap ... looking for a corporate position in London HQ.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 10:36:30 AM EST
    How many years is that?
    < wipes tears >
    less than Merkel or longer than Xi?
    by Cat on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 06:47:03 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Just about the same as Orbán, less than Merkel, FDR, Erdogan, Putin and Franco.

    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 09:01:51 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Welcome to this live blog about the House of Representatives debate in which Prime Minister Rutte is accountable for the fall of the Rutte IV cabinet.

    Wilders thanks Rutte but remains extremely critical of the cabinet fall

    PVV leader Geert Wilders opens his speech with a few personal, remarkably friendly words to Mark Rutte. "We've known each other for so long. We were once colleagues at the VVD, I was once his mentor', Wilders recalls.

    "We also worked together politically in the first two years, in the Rutte I cabinet - at least I think - excellent cooperation. After that we constantly put each other to the test,' he continues.
    [...]

    Jesse Klaver (GL): Prime Minister's resignation was inevitable, glad that he also recognizes that

    Green Left leader Jesse Klaver, just like Wilders before him, starts praising Rutte. "This prime minister has always managed to keep the initiative for thirteen years. As a House, we often lagged behind that and he managed to do that here until the last moment. And we have crossed swords countless times in recent years and once or twice we agreed, but most of the time we were diametrically opposed."

    "What I would like to say to you, Mark, is how much I appreciate that it never got personal. That we have always kept it substantive. Having said that, I still believe that the fall of this cabinet was inevitable and with it the resignation of the Prime Minister. I'm glad it didn't come to a motion, but that he himself came to that conclusion today.'

    PvdA leader Attje Kuiken (Labour) also expresses her "respect" for Rutte's decision to leave politics. "As a result, the political sting has been removed for us and there is room for us to do what is necessary in the interest of the country."

    VVD majority leader Hermans denies 'political games'

    After a short word of thanks to Rutte, VVD leader Sophie Hermans immediately addresses the asylum issue. She once again reminds the sleepers in the Ter Apel application center and talks about pushing back asylum seekers, after which she is interrupted by an extremely fierce PvdD (Party for Animal Rights) leader Esther Ouwehand.

    "The term reckless politics is appropriate," she says, referring to the fall of the cabinet and then asking whether the VVD party "fully supports this political strategy that has been played out in the turret?"

    "I certainly distance myself from Ouwehand's insinuation that this is a campaign trick," Hermans responds. "The VVD faction has opinions, has ideals and thinks things. We fully support the assessment made by our ministers in the cabinet.'

    Ouwehand says he doesn't believe anything of 'this angry outrage'. According to her, it was also the VVD that was responsible for 'cutting down on reception places'. She accuses Hermans of 'political games'. Think leader Farid Azarkan also intervenes in the debate and asks Hermans why the VVD 'misuses refugees for its own failure'.

    [The VVD party and Rutte simply stop the funding in order to create chaos and force harsh measures. For the last 12 years, migration was the responsibility of a VVD Minister or assistant secretary see Rita Verdonk]

    Hermans under fire for VVD immigration position

    SP leader Lilian Marijnissen attacks Hermans hard on the failing migration policy. She calls it "hypocritical" that the VVD, referring to the high housing shortage, does not want war refugees to bring their children to the Netherlands, but does not want to do anything about the much larger influx of labor migrants.

    Jesse Klaver throws Herman's 'cynical politics' at the feet, because the VVD has dropped the cabinet on family reunification for war refugees. He points out that the VVD apparently had fewer problems with the harsh investigative report of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into gas extraction in Groningen and the sabotage of the agreed nitrogen policy by the CDA.

    Subsequently, D66 member Jan Paternotte lists a whole list of concessions on asylum policy that the other three coalition parties wanted to agree to prevent a fall of the cabinet, including lowering the maximum age for family reunification from 25 to 18 years. "I still don't understand why this wasn't enough for the VVD, what exactly that was in it." Hermans only replies that the VVD really wants anti-immigration measures that have an effect 'in the national interest', and that the maximum viable compromise was insufficient for this.

    How many people immigrate to the Netherlands? | CBS Stats |

    In 2022, 401,351 persons immigrated to the Netherlands. This was 148,823 more than the figure for 2021.

    Cabinet collapsed because of 10,000 persons for family re-unification. Most asylum seekers come from Syria - ravaged by NATO military intervention and bombing raids. In the civil war, 400,000 people died before Russia intervened in September 2015 to end the fu*king war. R2P foreign policy of Barack Obama and VP Joe Biden.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 03:15:04 PM EST
    I m still open to celebrate the fall of mob chief Rutte (no doubt plenty of clones are waiting for the job) but it might be safer to wait until he is really gone. I hold my breath as to the damage he can still cause as caretaker with a war in the background.
    by Oosterbeek on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 07:25:26 PM EST
    Summary of my problem with policy set out by VVD politician Mark Rutte ...

    Rutte counts abroad - until now

    Rutte's international profile At European conference tables, Mark Rutte is one of the leading figures. In fact: an important hustler. But as a politician 'on the way out' his prestige and influence will quickly dwindle.

    Two weeks ago, Mark Rutte received six NATO leaders in the Catshuis for dinner, at the request of NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Discord had to be resolved [total bull ⁉️] so that the NATO summit, which begins in Lithuania this Tuesday, can become a convincing demonstration of unity and support for Ukraine.

    The pre-summit dinner was a symbol of Rutte's international position. With thirteen years of experience, he was, together with Hungarian Viktor Orbán, the longest-serving European leader. He played a leading role in the international issue of 2022 - support for Ukraine. He not only championed financial support and Dutch arms supplies, but also mediated in the formation of coalitions for the supply of increasingly advanced weapon systems. Moreover, his prestige had risen in NATO because the Netherlands finally wanted to comply with the NATO expenditure norm.

    Rutte taking the lead in EU for anti-migration

    Rutte has also become one of the leading figures at European conference tables. Within the EU he was often consulted when preparing compromises and became a central player, constantly calling and texting fellow leaders. Just two weeks ago, it was Rutte who flew to Tunisia together with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to negotiate a deal on migrants.

    "By way of preparation, the Netherlands and six other Allies gathered this evening at the Catshuis residence in The Hague."

    Discord had to be resolved [total bull ⁉️]

    The most aggressive group of Russophobes ... the hardliners, no discord.

    Many thanks to SG @jensstoltenberg , President @KlausIohannis 🇷🇴, Prime Minister @alexanderdecroo 🇧🇪, President @AndrzejDuda 🇵🇱, Prime Minister @jonasgahrstore 🇳🇴, Prime Minister @ediramaal 🇦🇱 and President @GitanasNauseda 🇱🇹 for joining us in The Hague.

    False information tonight national newscast ... Rutte flies to Vilnius for NATO Summit where he will meet top "world leaders". A Western Atlantic alliance ... an echo chamber as the choice for war was never put up for debate.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 07:45:06 PM EST
    Rutte was admired for steadfast policy post MH17 crash in Eastern Ukraine. As many nations, the Netherlands participated in a secret meeting of ambassadors early July 2014, and well informed of the high risk for civilian aviation flying over a war zone. The minutes are kept secret and no NOTAM alert was given by ICAO. An accident waiting to happen. The Dutch and Mark Rutte immediately conformed the rescue mission to Washington DC and anti-Russia narrative. That war never ended and restarted in February 2022 after failed "diplomacy".

    The other Dutch prime-minister with over a decade of service was Ruud Lubbers ... he did not engage in a global conflict, but saw East and West Germany re-unite after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I have no memory of all the failures during 13 years Mark Rutte ... erase memory and hopefully the new generation with a honest attempt to bring people together and not exploit differences to gain more seats in Parliament and power for the sake of power.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 07:48:02 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Rutte was left to a closer alliance with Nordic countries after repeated disputes with Macron and Merkel. Mark Rutte: North's quiet rebel | Politico - June 2018 |

    With Brexit, the Netherlands is losing a partner it has long relied upon to uphold a free-trade, market-liberal, fiscally strict vision of the EU.

    Rutte's solution: To forge links To forge links with Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- and push back against the French and the Germans.

    Merkel and Macron walk out on Rutte in dispute over EU stimulus

    Europe needs a recovery fund, but it is important the fund comes coupled with structural reforms, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said?

    Netherlands chides France, Germany over EU army proposal | Nov. 2018 |

    France and Germany are jumping the gun with calls for a European army, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Friday, asserting that the continent's safety could be guaranteed only through NATO.

    "The idea of a European army is going way too far for the Netherlands," Rutte said at his weekly post-cabinet press conference.

    "France and Germany are really jumping the gun. As far as the Netherlands is concerned, NATO remains the cornerstone of our defence policy," he told journalists.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 07:49:16 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Erdogan presses for Türkiye's EU membership to ratify Sweden's NATO bid

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he will urge the NATO summit to open a path for Ankara's EU membership so Türkiye paves the way for Sweden's NATO membership.

    "I am calling out to the countries that have kept Türkiye waiting at the EU gate for more than 50 years," Erdogan said on Monday before he departed for Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, to attend a NATO summit.

    "First, let's pave the way for Türkiye in the EU, and then we will pave the way for Sweden just as we did for Finland."

    Erdogan also reiterated that Sweden's NATO membership depends on the fulfilment of issues mentioned in the last year's tripartite agreement signed in Madrid during a NATO summit.

    Erdogan had previously voiced frustrations with what he calls Sweden's failure to keep its promise to deal with PKK terrorists and sympathisers "roaming the streets" of Stockholm.

    Türkiye first applied to be a member of the European Economic Community -- a predecessor to the EU -- in 1987.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 09:25:46 PM EST
    Turkish President, EU Council chief agree to 're-energise' ties

    EU's Michel says they "explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Türkiye cooperation back to the forefront" with Erdogan.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, in Lithuania as he was visiting to attend a NATO leaders' summit.

    Closed to the media, the meeting on Monday took place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre (LITEXPO) in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.

    Michel on Twitter said they "explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Türkiye cooperation back to the forefront & re-energise our relations."

    He added that the Council has asked the high representative, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission to submit a report "with a view to proceed in strategic & forward-looking manner."

    Michel said he also commended President Erdogan for "the central role Türkiye played in brokering and ensuring the Black Sea Grain Initiative."

    "We also discussed Sweden's accession to NATO, also in view of improved EU-Türkiye relations."

    To add fuel to the fire ... soon Türkiye will be granted visa-free travel into the European Union with work permits. What about EU anti-migration policy ... calling Mark Rutte ... you are needed.

    Energy crisis in Europe breaks all barriers ... for some.

    NATO expansion by default, the European Union as vanguard and picks up the bill. Proxy war in Ukraine already cost Europe $1 trillion.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Mon Jul 10th, 2023 at 09:29:05 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Upping the game of proxy war v. Russian Federation and competitive threat China on global stage.

    US moves on F-16 jets for Turkey after Sweden NATO U-turn

    Turkey has long sought the purchase of 40 F-16s from the US, and fresh talks with Washington come after Ankara ended its opposition to Sweden's NATO membership.

    United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has discussed support for Turkey's military modernization in a phone call with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, the Pentagon said late Monday.

    It comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to send Sweden's accession protocol for joining NATO to parliament for approval.

    However, some in Congress, mainly Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, have opposed the move over Turkey blocking NATO membership for Sweden, its human rights record and its relations with Greece, among other concerns.

    Mendez, a Democrat, said that he was "continuing to have reservations" on providing the fighter aircraft to Turkey.

    "If they (Biden administration) can find a way to ensure that Turkey's aggression against its neighbors ceases, which there has been a lull the last several months, that's great but there has to be a permanent reality."

    Menendez added that there needs to be a way to "beef up Greece's security" and obtain "assurances about future actions."



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 07:03:18 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Where is the leadership of the European Union??

    Joe softened-up VDL with a sweetened proposal to succeed Jens as NATO political leader in 2024 ... after the Ukraine war has ended in a victory. Serving mammon and God.

    Antony Blinken, the top US diplomat said that Turkey lifting its veto on Sweden's NATO bid is "totally unrelated" to Ankara receiving American fighter jets.

    "These are totally unrelated matters," Blinken said in an interview with NRK TV, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, when asked about Sweden's stalled bid to join the NATO alliance.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 07:03:59 AM EST
    [ Parent ]


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 08:16:19 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Call it manipulation, statecraft or propaganda, the effect is the same.

    Global trust in NATO leaders at all-time high -- survey | DW News |

    According to a report released Monday by the Pew Research Center, the global perception of Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, is at an all-time low.

    The study, conducted across 24 nations, found that, on average, 82% of respondents say they have little or no confidence in the Russian leader to "do the right thing regarding world affairs."

    Confidence in Putin has hit a record low in nine countries, including Germany, where it fell from 14% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.

    However, confidence in Putin has reached record highs in India and Indonesia. The share of Indians who express confidence in the Russian president has risen 17 percentage points since Pew first asked the question in 2019. This share is up 7 points in Indonesia, from 36% in 2019 to 43% in 2023.

    Successfully playing the FEAR card

    Pew tested public sentiment on NATO in some of its member countries, Poland, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Italy, the US, Canada, France, Hungary, Spain, and Greece.

    In those countries, 62% of those polled have a positive view of NATO, while 31% have an unfavorable view of the military alliance.

    Democracy ... that's how people vote, just as shortsighted as the politicians running for public office. Career makers and short-cut to riches.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 07:44:41 AM EST
    Not ready for a post-American world: European views on NATO | Brookings - June 2015 |

    In key European states such as Germany, France, and Italy, at least half of respondents said that their country should not use military force to defend a NATO ally if attacked by Russia. Even normally steadfast Poland could not quite muster a majority in support of the use of force to defend its neighbors. Among Americans and Canadians, meanwhile, despite their greater distance from the threat, support for Article V remains generally strong.

    In Greece, a poll found that the war is now the third most important concern (9%), with the majority of people being more worried about high prices and the cost of living (56%) as well as unemployment (12%).

    My only wish over the years, there would be a majority to put actions to words: "Never again" and invest in diplomacy to bring people together. Xenophobia and Islamophobia leads to rightwing populist leaders exploiting differences leading to war.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 07:45:51 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    This has to be written somewhere so that the happy Europeans know what is cooking for them.
    Behind the claims for sustainability and green agenda, only the little people are pressured to stop using plastic while the big sharks are making billions manufacturing and selling weapons while preparing for the next war and its `manufacturing of consent'.
    Here in The Netherlands, where high tech has always been an economic priority (but not to make actual European computers, printers, phones, even when there once were some), what we are seeing now is the following: I used to pay my internet box 35 euros per month, with only the internet since I did not want a tv or a land line. After the fibre was implemented in my neighbourhood and building (preliminary to the 5G which is now the reason why all the European capitals are `under construction' with huge infrastructure work going on everywhere?) I started receiving phone calls of my providern soon followed by phone calls from the other providers, asking me if I wanted a new abo, because as my provider wrote me, the historical owner of the plugs, KPN, was going to deactivate them because of the change of standard. This coincided with the shuting of the 3G network which until then I could receive on a cell phone I had.
    The price offered by all providers started from 44 e per month (instead of 35!) and goes to 52 and 55... they offer a discount for 3 to 6 months and there you go. So we are talking of a 10 euros increase per month. Most people rely on their phones and tablets, but the search results have been reduced by google to mostly commercial, in comparison to the search results from the same browser on a laptop. Other search engines give much less results when it comes to books and academia that they are unusable.
    A side effect of this is that I cannot listen anymore to my preferred radio, which I initially was able to catch on the FM, but which disappeared when.... same story, they stopped using this kind of signal last year. I wanted then to buy a `digital radio' but learned then that it would give me only the NL radio and not the Belgian ones... plus a `selection' of foreign radios that of course included the BBC.... Some people complained in the comments to these radios that they catch actually less channels than with the FM they had until then.
    The result is that I had to buy a 2nd phone and move from one to the other using them as hotspot when I need the internet, and can hardly listen to the radio anymore.
    Welcome to the new world.
    by Tom2 on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 11:03:04 AM EST
    Early on I had chosen for the hacking group who established xs4all as provider .. renowned Gonggrijp as one of the founders. A few years back the provider merged with KPN who cooperates with the Dutch state security agencies on data collection on Internet and all communication networks. Same role as AT&T under George Bush in the States.

    I tried to stay away from price fixing enterprises not allowing competition ... the European Union have done consumer much disservice by the "free-market" regulations forcing public utilities to be sold to private business. The energie sector [was owned by municipalities] but also telephony, railroad and other major infrastructure projects. Many big, costly failures.

    I refused cable network by Ziggo as they limited viewing and for me a risk of censorship. Instead I invested in satellite reception and can find global stations across Europe and the Middle East.

    5/9/14 Eyes Countries & VPNs

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 03:55:43 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    To use a VPN you first need an abo. I cannot afford a 10e increase in my monthly abo. I was paying 35 which was already a scandal for a slow internet, and now they are all aligned on 44 and more!
    No more USB sim, and the portable wifi mini box is a luxury product for corporate visitors.
    by Tom2 on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 06:16:58 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Doorstep statement by Dutch Prime Minister at the NATO Summit in Vilnius

    Summarized by Dutch largest subscription newspaper De Telegraaf [rightwing fascist roots] as follows: "I want Moscow to think: f*ck, they did it again!"

    Rutte a big child with Machiavellian traits.

    Further selected reading ...

    The personality traits of Machiavellian Leaders and how you can identify them

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Tue Jul 11th, 2023 at 02:34:03 PM EST
    Failure to build sufficient residential real estate due to free-market mechanism, attract critical investment during two deacdes. Capitalist policy promoted by The Hague and by the EU in Brussels, this became a political asylum seeker issue recently after 12 years of VVD policy under Mark Rutte. The influx of migrant workers added 148,000 persons extra in 2022 above the 2121 number. Most migrant workers are on low-paid salaries and housed a dozen in a room by landlords looking for a fast buck.

    Totalitarian solution offered in The Hague

    To solve Dutch housing crisis, proposal aimed to ban the rich from buying some homes. Could it work here?

    City government will beempowered by legislation to determine to whom you may sell, lease or rent properties. Housing market will be regulated with priorities to municipal workers, police and school teachers. No temporary contracts permitted as the Dutch are master and leading Europe in the Flex Jobs market causing anxiety and uncertainty by employees.

    Many more young adults continuing to live with parents in the Netherlands

    Post 9/11 privacy and property rights explained in layman's terms ...

    The Economics of the Totalitarian States

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Thu Jul 13th, 2023 at 06:00:22 PM EST
    From my earlier posts in July 2023 thread ...

    Related reading ...

    'Institutional racism': 20 years since Stephen Lawrence inquiry | The Guardian - Feb. 22, 2019 |

    This research complicates how we understand experiences of misogynoir when race consciousness is blended in a transnational context and how Amsterdam Black Women has made possible the refusal of Dutch norms that require members to accept their oppression silently and support false narratives of progressiveness and color-blindness.

    Silent racial discrimination is a fact of every day life in the Netherlands.

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 09:10:26 AM EST
    The Netherlands: Racism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - an exploratory study

    "Patterns of racism" [WTF?]

    The study makes clear that racism is a broad phenomenon which manifests itself in many different ways. It can be aggressive, direct, open and deliberate or subtle, indirect, hidden, unintentional or unconscious. Bi-cultural staff and local employees of colour experience different expressions of racism, including verbal abuse, derogatory treatment, cultural racism and all kinds of accusations and imputations. Staff also report being sometimes passed over, ignored and excluded. They experience racist jokes and low expectations. They experience that some of their white colleagues see them as being 'the ethnic and cultural other' and do not treat them as a fully fledged Dutch person or equal colleague. The emphasis on a person's ethnic and cultural background leads to people questioning their loyalty. Staff are also concerned about the way various ethnic groups are stigmatized in everyday conversation.

    Report finds institutional racism at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Dutch Review - Dec. 13, 2022 |

    "A number of employees have said that people have been referred to as 'monkeys', 'bokitos', 'negroes' and 'Black Pete' because of their skin colour," the report said.

    Could not easily find this news item on our Anglo-Saxon media in UK or USA ...

    Dutch Foreign Ministry apologises for 'institutional racism' | TRT World |

    Diary archives on racism ...



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 09:52:10 AM EST
    [ Parent ]


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 09:53:18 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Not a victim but part of the deep seated problem for many years as leader of D66 and as head of Dutch Foreign Ministry.

    We shouldn't be surprised by the chaos in the Netherlands | Open Democracy - March 2021 |

    With an election around the corner, the country's image as the prefect of Europe is starting to slip

    Conspiracy-fueled riots sizzle on the streets of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the Dutch cabinet has collapsed in a racist child benefit scandal. We are the last country in Europe to start vaccinating and have the second highest wealth inequality in the rich world. Our print media is owned by just two corporations and we are performing worse on climate change than our European neighbours. My adopted home likes to present itself as the prefect of Europe. But in reality, the Netherlands is a mess.

    Yet polls say that the shambolic ruling party, the Liberal Party (VVD), is set to gain seats in the national election on 17 March. Its leader, prime minister Mark Rutte will likely lead his fourth consecutive cabinet and his nearest rival, Geert Wilders, who wants to ban the Koran and deport Muslims, is also set to gain seats.

      "Healthcare has been privatised, housing and
       labour markets have been deregulated.
       The public sector has been squashed"

    In January, violent riots broke out across the country. Instigated by fascists, conspiracy theorists and football hooligans, the early protests also included many people - including a friend of ours - who weren't necessarily on the ultra Right, but who strongly objected to the first night-time curfew.

    In some cities, police reportedly got these hooligans to help them (a claim that the police later denied, despite a local mayor saying he was `proud' of the fans' support).

    Post triumphs of 13 year leadership of Mark Rutte, a lady killer of "Law and Order" steps forward to fill his shoes.

    Dilan Yesilgöz's meteoric political career started less than ten years ago in the Amsterdam Municipal Council

    The Dark Side of VVD PR and campaign leader Kees Berghuis ... a must read. 😊

    h/t ButtKick.nl

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 09:59:03 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Not ministers who are responsible for policy, but We The People are victims of their poor performance and are living in a violent society blown over from the New World.

    Top Dutch minister steps down from party leadership over `intimidation' and `threats' | Politico |

    Dutch Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag said Thursday she would not lead her liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party into the next election in the fall, citing the toll on her family after she faced multiple intimidation attempts.

    "I have decided not to run for the position of leader of the party," Kaag said in a statement. "For me, in addition to love and appreciation, the past period was also accompanied by hate, intimidation and threats. That put a heavy burden on my family." She added that "a new period of taking responsibility" would make things worse for them. 

    Kaag, the fitst female finance minister in the Netherlands' history, faced repeated threats over the past 18 months.

    Breaking through glass ceilings

    Rutte paid "respect" to Kaag, who has "meant a lot to the Netherlands," both as a person and a minister. "Privately, she had to pay an unacceptably high price for this," Rutte said in a tweet.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 11:09:49 AM EST
    [ Parent ]


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 11:10:28 AM EST
    [ Parent ]
    Former Finance Minister and present Minister of Foreign Affairs too leaves the Dutch political scene ...

    Recession and more austerity is no fun ... cabinet Rutte IV started in triumph with big spending plans ... the coffins were well filled. Today scraping the bottom ...

    'Sapere aude'

    by Oui (Oui) on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 at 11:11:03 AM EST
    [ Parent ]


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 16th, 2023 at 10:11:03 PM EST


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 16th, 2023 at 10:13:05 PM EST
    [ Parent ]


    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sun Jul 16th, 2023 at 10:16:39 PM EST
    [ Parent ]
    One-man's party Omtzigt split with his Alma Mater the Christian Democrats (CDA) when the secret memo became public ... "get rid of Omtzigt in Parliament, find him a position elsewhere".

    Translation:
    Bizarre, this insight into the notes of scout Ollongren. Subjects none of which have been discussed with me and on a topic not her responsibility or decision.

    Mark Rutte I-II-III-IV the dictator in his office "the Tower" on historic and medieval The Hague. The little dictator ... lying liar, NATO leader and warmonger in the extreme.

    In the meantime the support for cabinet Rutte IV has imploded, lost majority in election for the Senate and has resigned with many party leaders retiring from Dutch politics: Mark Rutte, Sigrid Kaag and Wopke Hoekstra. A costly mistake started in 2021 and will run for many months post-election as a new coalition will be formed. The common Dutchman is suffering immensely ... damn stupid war in Ukraine.

    Translate:
    As has often been said, the book is closed with the CDA. But of course I would like to continue working with all parties to realize my ideas and ideals for the Netherlands. Greetings from beautiful Friesland!

    Latest poll has VVD, BBB, left-wing bloc on top, but only if MP Omtzigt doesn't run | NL Times |

    The man defying Mark Rutte | Politico - Jan. 29, 2021 |

    Pieter Omtzigt, a Euroskeptic Christian Democrat, has become the face of growing criticism of the Dutch prime minister ahead of parliamentary elections.

    If Dutch politics can be a tedious affair, the start of 2021 has been anything but.    

    Ahead of elections on March 17, Mark Rutte is facing increasingly vehement criticism on multiple fronts. The prime minister's party is still far ahead in the polls, and the public in general approves of his handling of the coronavirus crisis. But recent developments have put him in a tough spot.



    'Sapere aude'
    by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jul 29th, 2023 at 05:20:32 PM EST


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