Young and on the candidate list: Gijs Broere #15

On 15 March are the Provincial Council elections. What is there to choose? In the run-up to the elections, we talk to some young candidates and explain why they are standing as candidates. In this interview, you can read more about Gijs Broere, number 15 on the list.

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do in daily life?

I am Gijs Broere, number 15 on the list of GroenLinks. I come from Soest and am 18 years old. I am currently studying Administrative and Organisational Sciences at Utrecht University. As a part-time job, I give tutoring. I am also active at DWARS. There, I am chairman of the Utrecht chapter and political advisor for the national board. In my spare time, I also enjoy debating. That is why I am a member of the Utrecht Debating Society.

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you like to have another coffee with?

I would love to talk to an ancient Greek philosopher like Plato or Aristotle. Then I would explain what society is like now and what all the new knowledge they missed. I wonder very much how they would adapt their philosophy and how they would look at the world with this new information.

What is your most controversial opinion?

To meet climate targets as well and as quickly as possible, I also see nuclear power as an option.

Why are you running for provincial elections and why for GroenLinks?

I am very interested in society, I know a strong sense of justice and I also really enjoy being politically active. Why are things the way they are? What could be better? And above all: how can things be done better? These are questions I have been asking myself for a long time. Politics is an ideal way to find out more and to work towards a better Netherlands in a way that I also enjoy.

GroenLinks attracts me because it is a party that wants to address the issues most important to me and also sees the coherence in those issues. The climate crisis and inequality both stem from the exploitation of systems in favour of the status quo. The exploitation of our earth and humans are inextricably linked in their causes, symptoms and their solutions. GroenLinks sees that too.

What themes do you want to work for in the province?

Especially the strengthening of democracy. This is much needed in these times of populism, polarisation and distrust in government. By doing so, I also offer a political alternative that transcends the delusion of the day and that tries to bring about structural changes. Better governance is crucial for a better society, because it allows problems to be detected earlier, solved more easily and prevented more often.

An example of a plan is, for example, to establish a generational test. Provincial policies and regulations require the identification of long-term impacts and may only be made if the impacts on future generations are also sound.

Why is it important to vote in this election?

The province deals with really important issues, especially for young people. The province plays a crucial role in solving the housing and climate crisis because it is about where what kind of houses are built and how and how much renewable energy is generated in the province. Not to mention the province's mobility policy: should public transport be expanded? Should there be less space for cars and more for bicycles? In addition, Provincial Council members also elect the Upper House. These are all matters on which the province decides and therefore reasons to vote.

What do you want to do for young people in these elections and how do you plan to engage them more?

I want to bring politics, and now the Provincial Councils, closer to young people this election. Politics, and especially the Provincial Councils, often feels like a distant memory for young people. It doesn't have to be. I want to show what the province is about, why it is important to young people, and that young people themselves can also have an influence by voting.

On March 15, the elections for the Provincial States will take place in the Netherlands. What can be chosen? In the run-up to the elections, we speak with several young candidates and they explain why they are candidates. In this interview, you will read more about Gijs Broere, number 15 on the list.

Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do in daily life? I am Gijs Broere, number 15 on the list of the Dutch political party GroenLinks. I come from Soest and I am 18 years old. Currently, I study Public Administration and Organizational Science at Utrecht University. As a side job, I give tutoring lessons. Additionally, I am active in DWARS. I am the chairman of the Utrecht department and a political advisor for the national board. In my free time, I also enjoy debating. That is why I am a member of the Utrecht Debating Society.

With which famous person, dead or alive, would you like to have coffee with? I would love to talk to a Greek philosopher from ancient times, such as Plato or Aristotle. I would explain to them what society looks like now and what new knowledge they have missed. I wonder how they would adjust their philosophy and how they would view the world with that new information.

What is your most controversial opinion? To achieve the climate goals as well and as quickly as possible, I see nuclear energy as an option.

Why are you a candidate for the Provincial States elections and why for GroenLinks? I am very interested in society, have a strong sense of justice, and I also enjoy being politically active. Why are things the way they are? What can be improved? And above all: how can it be improved? I have been busy with these questions for a long time. Politics is an ideal way to learn more about it and to work towards a better Netherlands in a way that I also enjoy.

GroenLinks attracts me because it is a party that wants to address the most important themes for me and also sees the coherence in those themes. The climate crisis and inequality both arise from the exploitation of systems in favour of the status quo. The exploitation of our planet and humanity are inextricably linked in their causes, symptoms, and solutions. GroenLinks also sees that.

What themes do you want to focus on in the province? Especially the strengthening of democracy. That is urgently needed in this time of populism, polarization, and distrust in the government. By doing so, I also offer a political alternative that transcends the whims of the day and tries to bring about structural changes. Better governance is crucial for a better society because it helps problems to be identified earlier, solved more easily, and prevented more often. An example of a plan is to introduce a generational test. For provincial policy and regulation, the long-term consequences must be mapped out, and that policy may only be made if the consequences for future generations are also good.

Why is it important to vote in these elections? The province is responsible for really important issues, especially for young people. The province plays a crucial role in solving the housing crisis and the climate crisis because it decides where which types of houses are built and how much sustainable energy is generated in the province. Not to mention the province's mobility policy: should public transport be expanded? Should there be less space for cars and more for bicycles? Additionally, the Provincial Council members also choose the Senate. These are all matters that the province decides on, and therefore reasons to vote.

What do you want to mean for young people in these elections and how do you want to involve them more? I want to bring politics, and now the Provincial States, closer to young people in these elections. Politics