Uri Rosenthal, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the VVD in the Rutte I cabinet from 2010 to 2012, also emphasizes the idealistic side: “You have the power to change something. But it is also not the case that you at the touch of a button.” According to him, some ministers misunderstand that. “Successful politicians who dance on the table should not be taken as a starting point. You see enough careers that end in tears.” Unlike Van Eijck, Rosenthal already had political experience. He was first a member and later party leader of the VVD in the Senate, but he was also active in science and business.
If you come from outside politics, you have to take into account the unique mores of politics, among other things. Being accountable means something very different as a minister than as a director of a hospital, for example. You’re much more responsible for what others do, Rosenthal says: “If others like government officials do something wrong, it can kill you.”
You have to be able to handle that, he outlines: “It is no longer like in the academic world that the arguments that are the most convincing win. For the scientist, the brilliance of the creative mind counts, for the minister the majority of the votes.” Being right is not the same as being right.
Press and social media pressure
And then there is also the pressure from outside, from the media for example: “As a member of government you can have a microphone under your nose at any time and you are expected to have an answer ready. Even if you already have media experience, that is different. If you are a scientist, you can choose whether you make a media appearance.”
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