As a young employee in the National Audit Office, I got to know colleagues from the FIOD as they moved into our building for an investigation. I remember piles of files and months, sometimes years, of investigations. The alternation between paperwork and interrogations was very important. Findings from both sources were compared, and the results of those comparisons in turn gave rise to further and more focused interrogation.
MPs Van Nispen (SP) and Mohandis (GL-PvdA) have introduced a bill to reintroduce school swimming. For all younger readers: you used to get swimming lessons at school. Yours truly got his A and B diplomas during school hours. Parents didn't have to drive back and forth with us; the bus came to pick us up and take us back to school. I don't even remember any parent interfering with this whole process.
The Netherlands has a centuries-long history as an internationally oriented nation. That has brought us much misery and much prosperity. It seems as if we want to deal with that international orientation. Both the prime minister and the king publicly apologize for our slavery past. Commemorations regarding the police actions in Indonesia are widely attended and fully televised. Colonies and former colonies are being financially compensated for the damage we caused.
The election results are still reverberating. It was just a month ago that we didn't know what we were seeing when the results of the exit poll appeared on the screen. Not much later we got to witness Frans Timmermans' Greek tragedy in a hall in Amsterdam, surrounded by GL-PvdA fans. They had to hold each other, he told his audience. Something terrible had apparently happened. War in Ukraine? Gaza? Climate? Poverty in the Netherlands? No, the election results. Once again, I didn't understand a thing.
He has turned 60, our Geert from Venlo. And nuance has reached him too. That is considered very pleasant by many. Apparently, his ideas have more fans than you would think, but he has not been able to elevate them to generally accepted views because of his sharp wording. The way he talks about the risks of Islam now, even (moderate) Muslims will be willing to listen to him. Then you get into a dialogue and start solving problems together.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we were faced with taking a position. Are you for Russia or for Ukraine? After the violence in Israel, we are again expected to take a stand. It reminds me of the corona days. Apparently, you always have to be for one and against the other. And as soon as you share your position, nay as soon as it is clear to the other where you stand, you are showered with jeers and malicious expressions.
The predictable has come true. Entrepreneurs who have had coronasteun are in huge trouble with the repayment of deferred taxes and excess contributions. The originators of this misery are now outgoing and under their desks. Not much more can be expected from them. The tax authorities have announced that the bailiffs are on the starting blocks to start garnishments and other collection measures. The battlefield is being prepared.
My lucky number is 7, so I had started Friday 7/7 with a very positive expectation. That the cabinet would fall I had not seen coming, actually too much luck for one day. Rutte knows more than we know, I thought. I assumed electoral insights. Wrong!