A delegation from the Provincial and Regional States of Groningen and Drenthe visited the Senate on Wednesday, May 28. The members debated in the plenary hall of the Senate with various senators about the recovery after gas extraction (Nij Begun) and about the cooperation between the government and the regions (Every region counts).
The meeting was chaired by Senate President Jan Anthonie Bruijn. In his welcoming speech, he briefly reflected on the special bond between the Senate and the provinces due to the indirect elections of the Senate. The senators are traditionally elected by the members of the provincial states. He also addressed the relationship with the current government, which does not have a majority in the current Senate. Although the Senate factions are not parties to government agreements and do not consider themselves bound by them, the trust rule also plays a role in the relationship between the cabinet and the Senate. A cabinet must have a fruitful collaboration with both Houses of the States-General, Bruijn said.
Nij Begun
State member Willemijn Brilstra (VVD Groningen) then started the debate in the first session on the theme Nij Begun, which addresses the recovery of Groningen and North Drenthe after gas extraction. Senate member Andrea van Langen-Visbeek (BBB) held a co-report on this.
State member Willemijn Brilstra is pleased with this visit. I think its wonderful to be here in the Senate and to discuss the earthquake issues. Senator Van Langen-Visbeek confirmed that this remains a very sensitive issue in Groningen. It is important to listen to what is happening in the region. After all, you learn the most from the people from the area themselves.
Both find it good that the Senate and the Provincial States are in conversation with each other. Not only to get to know each other better but also to understand what each others framework is from which we can operate, said Brilstra. Van Langen-Visbeek added: I have been in the Provincial States myself and now in the Senate. We need to invest in that relationship. Reciprocity is necessary, and these kinds of visits help with that.
Every region counts
The second part was about the program Every region counts, in which the government and the regions cooperate. State member Bernadette van der Berg-Slager (CU Drenthe) provided the introduction. Senate member Auke van der Goot (OPNL) held the co-report.
This visit is very enriching because it strengthens the relationship between the province and the Senate, says state member Bernadette van der Berg. She believes that there needs to be lasting attention for the importance of the regions and how this plays out in national legislation. I find the Senate a bit role-bound in this, perhaps a bit too reserved.
Senator Van der Goot emphasized that the traffic must also be two-way. Members of the Senate are also invited to come to the province. The relationship with the provinces is important. They are our constituency; we are elected by them. Through direct contacts, we are better informed about what is important in the province.
Provincial visits
This was the third provincial visit in the current term of the Senate, which started on June 13, 2023. In June last year, the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel visited the Senate, and in September, North Holland and Utrecht were next. The meetings are part of periodic visits by provinces to the Senate. The States of all twelve provinces visit the Senate every parliamentary term. During the provincial visits, the emphasis is on strengthening the ties between the Senate and the provinces and increasing its visibility to this important target group. After all, Provincial State members elect the members of the Senate every four years.