The National Ombudsman has strongly criticized the functioning of the government. Where previously she had received “a cheap six” from him, she is now a big bust. “They have failed and just don’t keep their promises,” says Reinier van Zutphen The Telegraph.
The ombudsman notes that the government continues to make the same mistakes. According to him, the same mistakes are made in South Limburg after the floods as in Groningen when repairing the damage caused by gas drilling.
For this year, the ombudsman is very concerned about the people’s continued distrust of the government. “I understand even after all the misery it has caused. They experience that the government is really sitting across from them instead of next to them. It’s a negative development.”
When asked if he still has faith in politics, Van Zutphen replies: “I tend to say no.” He points out that tens of thousands of people have encountered major problems due to, among other things, the surcharge scandal and the aftermath of the gas drilling in Groningen.
“In Limburg, citizens are still waiting for their money, a year and a half after the floods. Whereas in a prosperous country like ours, everything is assumed to be well organised. And the government knows what needs to be done to fix it. The most bittersweet .”
Van Zutphen also doesn’t feel supported by the House of Representatives, which nominated him. “It’s shocking that sometimes you have to keep the same story every year. So you get a lot of sympathy and a listening ear and you think: Now finally the nails are getting poked. But if you have to keep the same tune a year later why didn’t anything happen.. .”
“Yes, then sometimes you get discouraged and wonder why the parliament has nominated you and ask you for advice. In any case, there is still little of that new administrative culture”.
