Minister Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) is shocked by the farmers’ protest that was at her house on Friday evening, especially because it affects her family. A spokesman for the minister reported this on Friday evening after the ‘visit’ of dozens of farmers. They left later in the evening.
The farmers came to the minister’s house with their tractor on Friday evening in protest against the nitrogen plans that the cabinet announced on Friday.
Van der Wal talked to the farmers, but at some point she said she wanted to go back inside. “I received you close to my private house. I had a very good conversation and received you.” Meanwhile, her children were inside shaking, she says.
When the conversation with the farmers present became too threatening for the minister, she indicated that it is “just done now”. But a farmer who wants to talk to her further points out that the minister will also come to our yard with her plans. “We also have children, where should they go right away?” he asks her.
The minister’s spokesman said late on Friday evening that Van der Wal understands the farmers, “also because she gave a strong message today. She always wants to talk, but not at her family’s home or near her home. cross a line, that’s unacceptable”.
According to the spokesperson, the minister will inform the farmers on June 22, if they go campaign in The Hague, to speak. “That’s the place, after all.”
Politicians react with horror
Several politicians react with horror to the protest action by the farmers at the minister’s house. Jesse Klaver, among others, responds from the opposition, who speaks of intimidation.
Caroline van der Plas (BoerBurgerBeweging) is also making herself heard via Twitter. Not only does she indicate that “you don’t visit people at home” but she also mentions that “the majority of our farmers in the Netherlands do not support this”.
Minister Van der Wal is not the first politician to have had to deal with threats to the private address. Minister Hugo de Jonge and Minister Sigrid Kaag, among others, were also confronted with this.
Party chairman Jan Paternotte (D66) therefore believes that a line should be drawn. “Anger is allowed. But this is far beyond the borders that apply to everyone, and these farmers are not above the law. If we don’t draw the border hard now, all ministers will soon have the police at their door,” was his response to the protest on Friday evening. .
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