‘Joining the G4 is not interesting’

Jeroen Dijsselbloem is back in the old nest: in Eindhoven. The feeling of coming home was stronger than he had imagined. A conversation with a ‘nice guy’ about bicycles, filling the agenda, ordinary people and Eindhoven’s unique value to Europe.

Bicycle

‘Oh my, what a handsome boy you are. Will you come and sit with me? Look at us, they are jealous because you are their handsome boy. Jeroen Dijsselbloem (57) speaks with humor and emotion about the 100-year-old living in Eindhoven. ‘You get there in full dress up, flowers and cake with you, then you whistle and get back on your bike.’ In Eindhoven his predecessor Jan Zoritzma – a mannequin in his youth – was popularly referred to as ‘Handsome John’. Dijsselbloem: ‘No one has ever called me a pretty boy, so that alone can’t spoil my day.’

He has been mayor of Eindhoven for about nine months now, and he has rare pleasant encounters with Eindhoven residents who arrive by bicycle. Those rides are useful and educational, but the cart also serves him well as mayor. You are visible and approachable. People don’t see you in the car. Everyone sees you on the bike. You are approachable and it shows that you are among the people.

Mandatory advice

How is the former finance minister? ‘I have a full schedule, but busy is not a full schedule; You feel the pressure. It didn’t bother me. I want more agenda space. On my first day, my schedule for the next six years was filled with regular meetings. That doesn’t make you any better, and it doesn’t make the board any better. Mandatory consultations are also mandatory. A whole machine starts working.’

America and China

Dijsselbloem is mainly concerned with what the Eindhoven region means to Europe. “The U.S. and China are calling the shots and are in a big trade conflict and Europe has to be careful not to be crushed by its dependencies. Do we still have our own technology? Are we creating new technology or will it soon come from China and the U.S.? Only a few places in Europe are playing a part. The position is there. We have 5 to 6,000 technology companies. What ASML does is unique. The Eindhoven region can play a key role in making Europe less dependent on China and the US.

Association

That’s a different story than the vexed question of why Eindhoven wasn’t allowed to join the largest Dutch municipalities. Always that Calimero complex. Dijsal flower. ‘It’s out of the question whether we should own the big four municipalities in the Netherlands. I’m not that interesting now. It is not for arrogance. I wish Amsterdam and Rotterdam were the best. We work together in parts, but I don’t necessarily belong to such a club. Eindhoven is doing well and doesn’t need Amsterdam.

Regional cooperation

However, the area covers 21 municipalities. And that will remain so, Dijsselbloem believes. ‘The idea of ​​going to three or four municipalities in the region has completely disappeared. I don’t care, I don’t care. But cooperation needs to be improved. Only together we solve our problems. Regional cooperation should be more ambitious and implementation oriented. I like to work together, but effectively. That is why I am also touring the region. I go to the surrounding municipalities, because you prevent the conflict between the villages and the city. I don’t believe in that contradiction in this region. The concerns of the residents of Son en Breugel are similar to those of Woensel.

This week’s Finnlands Bestur no. Read the full interview at 11.