News Politics
Former SGP leader Bas van der Vlies passed away
Bas van der Vlies, former party leader of the SGP, passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 79. With that, a very well-known and deserving person has passed away, also for the agricultural sector.
As far as Van der Vlies is concerned, no publicity should be given to it. That wasn't the point at all for him. He held the office of representative of the people very highly, but he wanted to do everything for the greater honor and glory of his Lord, as he often said. Perhaps he would have preferred to be a preacher, he sometimes slipped.
Golden Fleece scheme
Yet Van der Vlies was sober and also 'earthly' enough to be a particularly effective Member of Parliament, certainly also for agriculture. He didn't do that with big words and a lot of noise, but preferably in peace. His most famous achievement is probably the Young Farmers Scheme, also referred to as the 'Golden Fleece Scheme' with a subtle reference to his efforts. However, he did not flaunt that, any more than with countless other things that he cycled for each other.
Reward for political humility
With controversial proposals in the House of Representatives, where the government coalition and opposition were in a stalemate and did not want to admit anything to each other, it regularly happened that the SGP could be the oil man who got things going, via an amendment or motion in its name. No one lost face and the SGP ensured that business was done that could help agriculture move forward. It could also happen that, after an apparently hopelessly lost discussion for agriculture, Van der Vlies found a workable solution after a one-two punch with the minister. It was the reward for political humility. They are rewards that are paid out less and less often.
Good relationship with Rutte
In the twilight of Van der Vlies' career in The Hague, there was another striking change that occurred. After years of distance, which perhaps seemed greatest under VVD leader Frits Bolkestein, his successor Mark Rutte and Van der Vlies found each other on various levels. Rutte was a well-known guest at various party meetings. Van der Vlie's successor Kees van der Staaij built on that understanding.
Van der Vlies had not been politically active since June 2010. In recent years he had to deal with an incurable disease. The consequences of pneumonia and respiratory infection that came on top of that were ultimately too much.
Klaas van der Horst
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