Don’t we already know that the French can supply the submarines?
Officially, the cabinet will only make an official decision on it on Friday. But it has already been leaked that the cabinet will opt for the French Naval Group.
So what is being talked about tonight?
The debate will be about the threatened loss of employment if the contract does not go to the Swedish Saab. That company works together with the Dutch shipyard Damen.
If the government chooses the French shipbuilder Naval Group, it will cost the Dutch business community a lot of money, say parties such as the SGP. Because the submarines will cost billions of euros and that money will not be spent in the Netherlands.
Isn’t that also a shame?
Well, it is not said that the Dutch business community does not earn anything if the French are allowed to build the boats. Naval Group points to the collaboration with various Dutch maritime companies, including the Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC.
These companies will all supply material for the ship. According to sources, this could amount to up to 50 percent of the costs of building the ships. But those details are all yet to be announced.
What does the House of Representatives want?
Some parties in the House of Representatives want to try to stop the deal because they would rather see the contract go to Saab/Damen.
SGP leader Chris Stoffer is therefore submitting a motion tonight calling for the decision to be postponed. According to the politician, the current cabinet cannot make such a decision because it is outgoing.
That SGP proposal is supported by the BBB, among others. MP for that party Gijs Tuinman says that it is even possible that the State Secretary will independently make a different choice than that advised by the project group that has been considering the purchase in recent months.
“The State Secretary can sleep on it for a weekend and then decide on Monday to choose Damen. Will that cost money? Yes, that will cost money and also lawsuits.” But according to Tuinman, it will yield a lot of money for the Netherlands in the long term, because it is an investment.
Will the House demand that a change be made?
No, a majority in the House will not support the SGP’s proposal about a stop in place. Most parties simply want to follow the process, which has been going on for more than ten years, including GroenLinks-PvdA MP Jimme Nordkamp.
2024-03-13 14:08:46
#House #Representatives #debating #submarines
