Dassen (Volt): Debates should be about content, ‘not about who will be the NSC prime ministerial candidate’

Dassen sees that every party leader is asked the same question: does he or she want to become prime minister? “That’s what every debate starts with.” This question was also asked to Omtzigt, to which no clear answer was given. Dassen argues for clarity. “The elections are on November 22, so the time is right. Also be clear what you want with Europe and the direction you want to take with the Netherlands.”

European solution

In the NRC, Dassen warned that if Omtzigt comes to power, the consequences will be major and the Netherlands will take forty steps back. “All the major challenges that this election campaign is about, climate, social security, digitalization and migration, require a European solution.”

“Omtzigt would like national parliaments to again have a veto on every decision that concerns the European Union. This would give, for example, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán a veto on every file. Then the European Union will become ungovernable. When you talk about good governance , you must ensure that the European Union can also be well governed,” says Dassen.

Dassen fears increasing conservatism in Europe. “What we see at the moment is that European countries are not working together sufficiently to solve all European challenges. This leads to increasing distrust, populism and fear for the future.”