commentary The House of Representatives will stipulate that members may not threaten each other. How is it possible that such a thing is necessary, writes political reporter Hans van Soest in this comment.
The war in Ukraine is leading to a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. War in Europe, millions of refugees are adrift, food prices are under pressure, energy prices are already going through the roof, a recession is looming and the cabinet has to adjust all its promises again two months after taking office. It is therefore wry that the House of Representatives spent a large part of the day on Wednesday discussing its own manners.
Yet the reason for the debate is serious. MPs from left to right (as well as ministers, city councilors and others who meddle in public debate) face death threats. In a letter from Chamber President Vera Bergkamp last month, it is stated that security services make a link with the tone in Parliamentary debates with accompanying expressions on social media. According to the security services, these contribute to ‘focusing social relations’. The House of Representatives now wants to explicitly state in its own rules of procedure that threats are grounds for depriving someone of the floor. It’s a shame it’s necessary.
The parliament is the highest body in our democracy. MPs have an exemplary function. The need for a separate rule to point out to them that they must behave decently just like any other citizen is a travesty. Of course you may not threaten, insult or incite violence. If separate rules are needed to remind our representatives in parliament of those basic manners, we are a long way off.
It is too easy to say that the House is only concerned with itself. That is not true. But something has really grown crooked. Too often, debates are only used to magnify differences. To stir up our own supporters via the camera instead of discussing how to find a solution to the problems this country is facing. At a time when we face enormous challenges, voters should expect politicians to take care of themselves. If you need rules to be reminded of this, it is better to look for another job.
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