After several weeks, the various factions involved in trying to create a new Provincial administration have come together: GroenLinks, PvdA, D66, ChristenUnie, CDA, and the VVD will all rule in coalition.
Translation by Thomas Ansell
As reported by the Groninger Internet Courant, six parties have come together to sign an accord titled “Connect, Strengthen, and Renew”. The Province of Groningen is the first in the country to announce its new regime.
The title is, according to formateur Tom van der Lee (who was appointed to mediate the coalition talks), a summation of all of the policy wishes in the province on issues such as gas extraction, economic affairs and the or energy transition. The college(board) of representatives spoke of a progressive, social and green agreement which includes input from all of the parties.
The three people who will become provincial executive representatives include three men and one woman, pending approval by the Provincial Council. Nienke Homan (GroenLinks), Fleur Gräper-van Koolwijk (D66), Patrick Brouns (CDA) and Henk Staghouwer (ChristenUnie) have been re-elected as deputies. The VVD would like this list to include Mirjam Wulfse, with the PvdA putting forward Tjeerd van Dekken.
The focus of the new provincial leaders include economic, land, and energy transition. There is also a large amount of effort being put into a solution for problems caused by gas extraction. Deputy Henk Staghouwer will be responsible for gas-related issues, whilst Nienke Homan and Mirjam Wulfse will be responsible for creating the “National Programme for Groningen”, which will lead to a new strategy for the province.
The new coalition agreement and the distribution of task portfolios must be ratified by the members of the Provincial Council. It is expected that a meeting will be held next week.
