How the Laurentien method became the Laurentien issue: unease about the princess
NOS News•Thursday, August 8, 5:45 PM
How the Laurentien method became the Laurentien issue: unease about the princess
Bernice Willemsen
Politics editor
On Wednesday evening, in the middle of the summer recess, the Ministry of Finance released a remarkable statement about the Foundation (Equal) worthy Recovery (SGH) by co-founder Laurentien van Oranje, King Willem-Alexander's sister-in-law.
In consultation with Finance, that foundation is working on an alternative solution to the childcare allowance affair and about that cooperation. complaints entered. The statement states that “emotions have increased at times”. A “number of colleagues” from the ministry reported this orally. The name Laurentien and the number of reports are not explicitly mentioned.
The SGH Foundation responded indignant and believes that Princess Laurentien has been cast in a bad light by leaking officials and the media. This morning in the NOS Radio 1 Journal a spokesperson did admit that discussions sometimes got quite tough.
Scolding
The reason is a product in the Algemeen Dagblad about complaints of transgressive behavior by Princess Laurentien towards officials, such as scolding people, not tolerating contradiction and responding emotionally.
What's certain is that it hasn't been for months. butters between the foundation and the ministry, the NOS reported at the end of May. Laurentien, who has been involved in low literacy for years, has been in smoother territory since last year: dealing with the child allowance affair.
In addition to Groningen gas extraction, it is the most painful dossier in The Hague. The third Rutte cabinet fell for it in 2021 and successive administrators have not yet succeeded in closing the file.
The “Laurentien method”
When dealing with claims by the Foundation (Equal) worthy Recovery, affected parents can tell their story to volunteers (“listening writers”) and fixed amounts are paid out based on a conversation of a few hours.
If someone is divorced as a result of stress due to the benefits affair, for example, a standard amount will be paid out. Evidence, such as doctor's statements, does not always have to be shown. On average, parents receive more compensation via the “Laurentien method” than through the government's own method.
Laurentien believes that Finance should be less complicated about rules and she is convinced of her approach. This raises resistance. Officials, but also the then Secretary of State for Supplements, Aukje de Vries, and the House of Representatives do not want to sign a blank check for billions of euros for those affected by the benefits affair.
Officials also point to the Laurentien method's susceptibility to fraud, because reporters can share their experiences without having to provide thorough evidence.
The princess sees herself as a fighter against injustice. In a lecture in Leiden in June, she denounced the officials' approach with their nine-to-five mentality. She continues to work in the evenings, just like her husband, Prince Constantine.
“We don't sleep enough”, said Laurentien in her English speech to an enthusiastic audience. The princess is used to having doors open for her; the foundation's allowance parents and volunteers walk away with her. Critical comments from the ministry are seen as opposition.
Royal House reporter Albert Bos:
“Laurentien's position is starting to get complicated, they see at the ministries, but also at the palace. Party leader Omtzigt of coalition partner NSC also recently asked questions about the position of the members of the Royal House. This will lead to even more discussion about this.
In any case, you may wonder why the princess no longer manages this project from the sidelines. But she doesn't want to know about that and now that these kinds of messages are coming out, it's starting to affect the monarchy. The question is therefore when the king or Prime Minister Schoof will draw a line.”
So it is not only the method, but also the behavior of the princess that raises unease. The NOS has also received signals about meetings involving raising voices, slamming doors and tears from the princess.
The sources want to remain anonymous because it concerns a member of the Royal House. No one wants to use the word “cross-border”.
The Laurentien method has now become the Laurentien issue. Although the members of the Royal House are free to choose their own activities, they do fall under ministerial responsibility.
What they say publicly should be presented to concerned administrators. “The freedom of movement of a member of the Royal House is limited,” says the website of the National government.
- Laurentien Foundation and Ministry are upset about the benefits affair, cabinet will decide tomorrow
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