From the RUG to parliament

No matter how the third Rutte cabinet shapes up, the RUG is sure to be well represented in the Lower House. Four former students have secured a seat in the Dutch parliament and a fifth alumnus is very likely to join them. What do they hope to accomplish?
By Anne Floor Lanting / Translation by Traci White

Sandra Beckerman (SP)

Sandra Beckerman (33) studied archaeology at the RUG and was employed as a lecturer at the university until February. After leaving the RUG, she felt the time was right to launch her campaign, and the timing turned out to be very good indeed: the SP was the biggest winner in the province of Groningen. ‘I’m so proud that we have earned the trust of the voters in Groningen’, says Beckerman, who was the sixth candidate on the party’s list.

One of Beckerman’s main causes in the earthquake issue. ‘It’s unbelievable, how the previous cabinet handled the earthquakes. Many impacted Groningers feel like they’ve been left high and dry’, she explains. In addition to gas extraction, she will also be a member of the committees on housing and liveability. ‘I really want to dedicate myself to focusing on shrinking the divide between the province and the city. Gas extraction activities have to decrease and the procedures for handling damage claims should not depend on the NAM. The plans for making that happen are already in place, so now the parties just have to be accountable’, she says, defiantly.

Anne Kuik (CDA)

Anne Kuikens (30) was a law student at the RUG and became a municipal councillor in Groningen in 2010. She fulfilled that role until the election campaign, a period which she says was actually pretty laid back. ‘Going into election night, I knew that things were looking quite good, so it wasn’t really nerve-wracking, but it was definitely a special moment’, says Kuik, who was in 11th place on her party’s candidate list, of winning her seat in the Lower House.

She does not yet know which committees she will be on, but she is determined to be a voice for Groningen in The Hague. ‘I’m going to continue living in Groningen and I also want to pay as many working visits to the province as I can so that I can speak with the people there’, she explains. She also wants to promote the interests of young people. ‘I’m still young myself, so I think it’s important to stand up for that age group. I hope that we can bring debate about the basic grant back to the table and do something about flexible labour contracts’, says the young, driven politician.

Antje Diertens (D66)

Antje Diertens (57) did a postgraduate programme in sports management at the RUG and also achieved a propaedeutic diploma in philosophy. Since 2011, she has been a member of the regional board of D66 in Groningen and became its chairperson in 2014. She joined the party roughly 10 years ago because she wanted to do something meaningful in the realm of exercise and physical activity rather than out of any particular interest in becoming a member of parliament. ‘But when the chance presented itself, I grabbed it with both hands. Given my age, I’ll be bringing a lifetime of experience with me’, says the politician, who was the 18th candidate on her party’s list.

The D66 committee positions have yet to be distributed, but Diertens hopes to be able to draw more attention to the region in the Lower House – ‘not only for Groningen, but for all of the provinces that don’t get as much attention. Groningen should be put on the map in a more positive light, and I want to work together with my colleagues from Groningen to see to that. We can do it by remaining steadfast and demonstrating our commitment, and keeping our ears and eyes open,’ she says, enthusiastically.

Joost van Keulen (VVD)

The Groningen alderperson Jooost van Keulen (37) was a history student at the RUG and became a member of the VVD while he was still at university. In 2007, he joined the Groningen municipal council and 2012, he became alderman for economic affairs. Van Keulen was in 36th place on his party’s list, which means that he is not yet officially sure to have a spot in the Lower House. But once the VVD begins governing, several of his fellow party members will assume ministerial and secretarial positions. ‘I’ve enjoyed being an alderperson, and that is now coming to an end. It’s somewhat bittersweet, but after a few days, the excitement about it really took over’, he says.

Van Keulen wants to change the perception of Groningen in The Hague. ‘It’s not just open fields and angry people. There’s also a beautiful, lively city with a lot of young talent.’ He also hopes that the Lower House can come up with a solution to the earthquake problems. He will also remain a familiar face in Groningen. ‘I will continue living here and I’ll probably have a pied-à-terre in The Hague, but we have to see how it all turns out first’, Keulen says optimistically.

Dennis Wiersma (VVD)

Dennis Wiersma (31) studied sociology at the RUG, during which time he became active in the world of university politics. In 2009, he joined the board of the National Student Union (LSVb) and later became president of Young FNV. As an MP, Wiersma is committed to future-proofing political plans. ‘I want national politics to focus on the long term’, the young politician explains.

In the Lower House, where he easily got a seat by being number 11 on the VVD list, he hopes to be a champion for education. ‘Proper education is crucial to people’s lives. It’s also important that people can get a job they enjoy because of their education.’ After graduating, Wiersma left Groningen for Utrecht, but after his adventures in The Hague, the born Frisian would like to return north. ‘Young people studying in Groningen often leave for the Randstad for work after they graduate. I hope the northern labour market will be getting a boost over the next few years,’ he says, full of optimism.

* The portion on Dennis Wiersma was added after original publication. 

Dutch

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