On January 13, Eerste Kamervoorzitter Jan Anthonie Bruijn delivered a speech at King Willem-Alexanders New Years reception in Amsterdam. He discussed the formation of the Schoof cabinet in 2024 and the diminishing trust in government and the rule of law, both in the Netherlands and globally.
Bruijn highlighted the four billion people who voted worldwide last year, leading to protests in some areas due to distrust in election results. He stressed the necessity of trust for peace, safety, and prosperity, warning against taking trust for granted as it could lead to the neglect and loss of freedom and security.
He noted the erosion of public trust in government and politics, with citizens feeling increasingly distant from each other and from The Hague, while expecting concrete solutions to their problems. Bruijn called for policies that not only look good on paper but also work in practice, emphasizing the need to safeguard and strengthen democratic institutions to rebuild trust.
He concluded with an appeal to fellow politicians for self-reflection and to set an example through respectful conduct, starting in parliament.