A majority of the parties in the House of Representatives support the cabinet’s intended decision to cancel the relocation of the marine barracks from Doorn to Vlissingen. Although all parties strongly criticize the way in which State Secretary Barbara Visser came to the decision, there are no sounds to make the move to Zeeland go ahead.
This appears on Thursday during a debate in the Chamber about the move, in which the criticism of the cabinet is harsh.
“Zeeland is empty-handed. I would also feel cheated,” says CDA member Martijn van Helvert. Sadet Karabulut (SP) speaks of a “rock region” and “betrayal” of the cabinet. SGP leader Kees van der Staaij thinks the government’s actions are “harmful and shameful”.
None of the parliamentary groups argued in favor of moving the barracks to Vlissingen. There is, however, wide criticism that the Ministry of Defense was already looking for new locations for the barracks, while the impression was given to Zeeland that the move would continue as usual. Karabulut: “How is that possible? Why did people lie to Zeelanders?”
The PvdA also criticizes coalition parties that were already informed about the intended government decision on 16 January. Member of Parliament John Kerstens opposite CDA member Van Helvert: “Why didn’t you hit your fist on the table then?”
Chamber wants more than financial compensation
Both the opposition and the coalition believe that the government must now do everything it can to restore the Zeeland’s confidence. State Secretary Visser announced on Friday that the Ministry of the Interior is discussing a compensation scheme with the people of Zeeland.
This compensation should not only be financial in nature, but also ensure that Zeeland “offers sustainable socio-economic perspectives”, as the ChristenUnie argues. Member of Parliament Joël Voordewind only wants to provide a political opinion with a judgment about the course of affairs if there is clarity about the compensation. SGP and 50PLUS are considering a motion of censure.
“State Secretary will pick up hot potato”
The cabinet announced last week that the relocation of the barracks from Doorn to Vlissingen will not go ahead. Although the government does not want to speak of a “definitive” decision, it seems impossible that the Marines go to Zeeland.
This brings an end to the 2012 agreement that the new barracks from the elite force would go to Zeeland. Over the years, the resistance to the move has increased. With the intended relocation, the elite corps threatened to run out. A large number of Marines were reluctant to relocate to Zeeland, partly due to gloomy career prospects for the partner.
Although the PVV describes the government’s actions as “unreliable”, MP Harm Beertema points to the criticism that has been sounding for years about the intended relocation. “This is an unfortunate plan that should have been abandoned years ago.”
D66 also understands that the Zeelanders feel “out of place”, but reminds the House that from the outset the party insisted that the decision was insufficiently substantiated in 2012.
The CDA sees that State Secretary Visser has to do a lot to restore confidence, but is not merely negative. “From 2012, nothing has happened for eight years,” says Van Helvert. “This State Secretary has picked up the hot potato.”
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