International

Today in Strasbourg, SP Senator Tiny Kox was elected as the new President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He will succeed the Liberal Belgian Senator Rik Daems, who had completed his two-year term. After former Minister Hans de Koster (VVD) and former Secretary of State and President of the Senate René van der Linden (CDA), Kox is the third Dutchman in this position for the European Treaty Organisation, founded in 1949. At present, there are 47 Member States participating in this organisation. These include all EU Member States and major European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Great Britain.

Last week they were on the steps of the King’s palace, glowing with pride, the members of the 4th Rutte government cabinet. At the same time tens of thousands of people were in long queues in the cold city of Groningen. They were waiting for a chance to get some money to ease the misery of the impact of the earthquakes caused by gas extraction. The money available was sufficient for only half of the people. A matter of first come, first served. This was humiliating for the queueing people. It was shameful for our country. It was destructive to faith in government.