Background. VVD (Dutch Tories) led government has seen us with the same PM since 2012 in a series of coalitions. 80% of what they've done has been met with almost universal acclaim. How they dealt with Covid among them. There are, however, a number of large issues hanging over their heads.

Failure to recompense a single household in Groningen for damage caused by earthquakes due to the emptying of the gas fields. Over the past decades, the Treasury has profited to the tune of 10s of billions thanks to the gas. They seem incapable of organising recompense to those whose houses need either 10s of thousands spending on repairs or even more where the house is only fit for demolition.

Nitrogen issue with farmers and industry. Another problem they made for themselves. The limit they set is far more stringent than what the EU requires. A court case brought by environmentalists has resulted in those harsher limits being Law.

Cost of living crisis.

Thousands of families split by the decision to label them as fraudulent by the tax authority. Based on racist thoughts. Again, they say those affected will be compensated. It's just not happening.


About 4 years ago, Caroline van de Plas started a new party called the Boer, Burger Beweging, known as BBB, (Farmer, Citizens Movement). She was championing the farmer and saying that the coalition has lost touch with the electorate. 2 years ago she won a seat in the Dutch Lower House (Commons). She has built an "army" behind her and has spent the past 2 years ensuring they are trained and prepared to move into political jobs.

Wednesday we had the Provincial elections (we have local council, provincial and national elections at various times). The results of the provincial elections determine how many seats a party gets in the Upper House (total of 75 seats). BBB has done exceptionally well, especially taking into account there were 20+ parties taking part. They have come from nowhere to be the largest party in every one of the 12 provinces. No party has previously won all 12 provinces. The result also means they are the largest party in the Upper House with 17 seats. Last week they had 0 seats. Now they are the largest party in all 12 provinces and the Upper House. Some achievement.

You can't attach a "wing" to them. Some of their policies are right leaning, others left and others centre. It will be interesting to see how they cope with their new found power.

It also puts the coalition in a precarious position as BBB is against much of what they are trying to do. The coalition doesn't have a majority in the new Upper House. They need more parties to be able to get their wishes granted. The Groen Links/Partij van de Arbeid (left) are on board with 80% of the plans. The problem is that the 80% includes the issues BBB is against and those are the issues that caused the huge anti coalition protest vote. If they don't change course, they will have ignored the result of this election, If they do change course, they will alienate the 2nd largest party (D66) in the coalition and they may pull the plug on the coalition as their major "thing" is the nitrogen question and their solution is not one BBB will go along with. If it comes to a general election, BBB will score heavily and the current coalition parties will be decimated. The next few months will be very interesting here.

It will be fun watching the relations. The coalition has set the parameters. However, it's the provinces that have to carry those parameters out. BBB won't do what the coalition wants.