Tumult after postponement of Groningen gas decision: involved Caspar van den Berg (VVD) as bogeyman

Johan Remkes expresses himself as carefully as possible on the telephone. “It could be that the VVD faction has indicated a certain line, while Caspar van den Berg himself was fairly nuanced.” Does he mean by ‘nuanced’ that Van den Berg thinks differently? “That could well be possible.”

It was the political riot of the week. The House of Representatives had decided by a large majority that the gas tap would be closed permanently, much to the relief of Groningen. Only the Senate still had to give it a blow, but that would be a formality. There was great anger in the earthquake area that the decision was suddenly postponed.

What added to the surprise was that the proposal was submitted by VVD senator Caspar van den Berg. Professor of Public Administration in Groningen, interim dean of Campus Fryslan in Leeuwarden and special professor of Transitions in the Public Sector in Leiden. Van den Berg has been researching regional inequality in the Netherlands for years and has shown concern for the disadvantaged position of the North.

‘He was a great supervisor’

This is also evident from the many studies he has conducted. For example, he conducted research on behalf of Remkes for the National Program Groningen and together with him into the cost overruns in the construction of the Southern Ring Road. Just before his appointment as chairman of UNL (Universities of the Netherlands), where he will start on June 1, he called Remkes to ask whether it had consequences for his duties in the Senate. “He communicated neatly about that. He puts down the teaching portfolio. He dealt with this with integrity.”

Bram van Vulpen, who obtained his PhD under Van den Berg, characterizes him as an ‘eloquent’ and ’empathetic’ person. “He was a great supervisor. He was involved with both the subject and me. I got along well with him. Our political opinions differed, but that was never a problem.”

Van Vulpen places him on the left wing of the VVD. Van den Berg does not flaunt his party membership. According to him, he rarely expresses that.

‘I wonder how he combines his many activities’

Professor of Rural Development Bettina Bock was also involved in Van Vulpen’s dissertation. She also has praise for Van den Berg. “He is friendly and interested. There are also promoters who work remotely, but he doesn’t do that. I wonder how he combines his many activities.”

Van den Berg (43) grew up in Giesbeek, Gelderland. He studied in Utrecht and London, spent a year in South Africa and now lives with his partner and two children in The Hague.

At Campus Fryslan, Van den Berg succeeded Andrej Zwitter, professor of political theory at the University of Groningen. They know each other well. According to him, Van den Berg conducts applicable science with a political slant. He finds this important in these times of political polarization.

‘He is a link between science and politics’

Zwitter was ‘surprised’ that Van den Berg exchanged his scientific work for a board position at UNL. The institution could not wish for a better president. “He is a link between science and politics. He can fulfill that role very well.”

It did not surprise him that Van den Berg took a seat in the Senate on behalf of the VVD. It was obvious that the party chose him for that position. “He is an honest, characterful person who stands for the values ​​he promotes.”

It is difficult for Zwitter to assess whether Van den Berg’s political ambitions extend beyond the Senate. As a leader within the university, he was always ‘integrity’, ‘trustful’ and ‘honest’. “We need people like that in politics, so I hope he has even more ambitions.”

Bettina Bock can also imagine something about it. Van den Berg not only makes a career to advance socially, but also shows a sense of responsibility. “He really wants to make a difference in his work.”

‘He is packed with talent and is still young’

Zwitter even thinks it is possible that he will one day become a minister or prime minister. “I know him not only as a person, leader and researcher, but also as a connector. He is also a family man. He is packed with talent and is still young.”

The latter may also explain his slip on Tuesday in the Senate. Fully mindful of what he proclaimed in an interview in this newspaper a year and a half ago: ‘There is indeed support for democracy as a form of government, but if the people who then play the game make a mess of it in the eyes of the citizens, it becomes functioning of that democracy is less appreciated.’

When asked whether Remkes sees Van den Berg as a top political talent, the veteran answers: “Van den Berg can still mean something for the VVD and for the country, but the course of events surrounding the gas decision shows that you day learning. That is also the case with Caspar van den Berg.”