Debate on Dutch PM Mark Rutte’s Future Amidst Gas Extraction Scandal

Debate in brief:

– A large part of the opposition has lost confidence in Prime Minister Mark Rutte. But coalition parties VVD, D66, ChristenUnie and CDA closed ranks and supported the prime minister, despite their sometimes visible discomfort about the prime minister’s attitude.

– Prime Minister Rutte makes it clear from the start that he does not want to resign. “I want to be part of the way forward. That is my absolute ambition’. He acknowledged that mistakes were made, but says the intentions have always been good.

– The opposition in particular continued to address and confront the prime minister with the report of the committee of inquiry: the interests of Groningen have been structurally ignored, the disastrous consequences were the result of active political choices and not the result of mistakes.

– According to the State Secretary, the scheme whereby damage up to 40,000 euros is compensated without thick reports will be expanded. The limit will be set at 60,000 euros.

– There will be ‘task forces’ to solve complex cases

– The cabinet wants to stop gas extraction this year, and a final decision will be made within a few weeks

– Money may no longer play a limiting role in claims handling and reinforcement, which is laid down in law.

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