According to the FvD, ‘immediately after such a speech by a presumably very emotionally involved president … who will undoubtedly lay claim to feelings of compassion and a heightened urge to act, is not the time for reflection’.
The party emphasizes in the explanation that the war should be discussed in the House ‘with calm and distance’.
–
–
The FvD’s position on what the party calls ‘the situation in Ukraine’ is ‘well known and has already been explained in detail’, the statement reads.
Russian invasion not condemned
FvD is the only party in the House of Representatives that does not want to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Party leader Thierry Baudet was accused by other politicians in a debate about the war of spreading ‘gibberish and Kremlin propaganda’.
–
–
Speeches in the Chamber
It is rare for a foreign head of state or government to be invited to give a speech. There are only a few world leaders who have preceded the Ukrainian president. For example, in 1946 the British Winston Churchill addressed the Senate and House of Representatives from the Ridderzaal. In 1997 King Hussein of Jordan did this in the meeting room of the Senate, just like Israeli President Shimon Peres in 2013.
Source: Parliament.com
–
–
Rutte is present
Yesterday became clear that Prime Minister Mark Rutte will nevertheless be present at Zelensky’s speech. President Vera Bergkamp decided that after the House did not want the prime minister to join.
Political reporter Frits Wester explained last week that the initiative for the speech comes from Zelenski himself. “It will mainly be a request for extra help and sanctions. We don’t know exactly what it is about,” told Wester.
–
–