State Secretary Vijlbrief (Mining) calls the course of events last week regarding the subsidy application from residents of Groningen “an embarrassing display”. “That is why we have added extra money,” he said in the provincial government in Groningen, on the first day of his working visit.
Residents of the earthquake area were able to apply for a subsidy of 10,000 euros last Monday to improve their home, but that turned out to be a mess. People queued for hours and it was also difficult to get through online.
In addition, the subsidy amount of 220 million euros turned out to be far from sufficient, as a result of which many households fished behind the net. The cabinet therefore announced a few days later that the amount will be increased to 250 million euros.
New low
“I felt ashamed about the government, that’s not how it should be,” says Vijlbrief. “It shouldn’t be like that anymore and it won’t be like that in the next round either.” Last week, the State Secretary wrote in a letter to parliament that he regrets the state of affairs.
The mood among the people of Groningen already fell to a new low at the beginning of this month. The previous outgoing cabinet announced at the last minute that more gas may have to be extracted from the Groningen field this year than planned. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this is necessary to fulfill obligations to Germany.
Actions rather than words
Vijlbrief is going to see if anything can be changed about the intention. Among other things, he wants to talk to his German counterpart. “I don’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best. I’m a man of actions, not words.”
The intention for extra gas extraction and the hassle surrounding the subsidy scheme were reasons for many Groningen residents to take to the streets on Saturday.
Thousands of people protested with torches in the center of the provincial capital, to demand more respect from political The Hague:
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