PVV, BBB members boycott annual Davos trip to Switzerland; VVD set to attend
While members of the VVD are set to attend the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, PVV and BBB have decided to boycott the event. A PVV minister, who was initially scheduled to attend, has now canceled, possibly after receiving a reprimand from party leader Geert Wilders.
Wilders, in a statement issued Monday, made it clear that no PVV ministers would attend the high-profile event, which runs from January 15 to 19. While he did not elaborate on the reason for the decision, Wilders' opposition to the globalism and behind-the-scenes negotiations associated with the WEF is well-documented, AD reports.
For decades, thousands of politicians, business leaders, scientists, and journalists have gathered in the Swiss Alpine village to discuss issues related to politics, economy, and society. Wilders' announcement raised eyebrows, as it was revealed that Dirk Beljaarts, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs from the PVV, had been initially listed as an attendee.
However, Beljaarts has now canceled his participation, citing a "full schedule" and "many obligations," according to his spokesperson. Behind the scenes, sources suggest that Beljaarts' withdrawal may have been influenced by Wilders' disapproval. "I thought this would be corrected," one coalition source told AD.
PVV Minister for Foreign Trade Reinette Klever, in a recent interview, revealed she would not attend due to other "obligations," though she did not elaborate on what those were.
PVV MP Henk Vermeer, a vocal critic of the WEF, has also questioned the necessity of the government's large delegation. "We have serious problems at home that need our attention," he said in a recent statement. "What agreements are being made in Davos? I'm all for networking, but there's a real aura of behind-the-scenes politics surrounding this event."
Dutch attendees and this year's theme
Despite this, other members of the Dutch government, including Prime Minister Dick Schoof, VVD Minister for Climate and Green Growth Sophie Hermans, and VVD Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans, will be present at the forum. The event offers a platform for one-on-one discussions with political leaders, business executives, and scholars. This year's theme is "Restoring Trust."
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Schoof will attend, although the government's spokesperson noted that the schedule is still being finalized. The official list of participants will only be released after the event, as the discussions often evolve spontaneously.
As part of the Dutch delegation, Schoof will meet with political leaders, including NATO representatives and United Nations envoy for Gaza Sigrid Kaag. These brief meetings are part of what participants refer to as the "speed-dating" style of diplomacy.
Davos has become a symbol of everything that PVV and BBB oppose, including globalism, elite influence, and behind-closed-doors deals, according to AD. Within populist and right-wing conservative circles, the WEF is often seen as an arena for shadowy global elites to further their agenda.
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who attended Davos each year as a prominent representative of the Dutch government, has faced mockery from critics. His participation, however, was framed as an opportunity to meet multiple world leaders and corporate executives in a single trip. In 2023, Rutte held talks with the leaders of Tunisia, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, as well as top executives from companies like Total, Siemens, and Sabic.
Rutte's participation in the WEF was considered vital for advancing Dutch interests, as attending the conference allowed for rapid, face-to-face discussions with key global figures. "To meet all these global players individually, you'd need to plan countless time-consuming and expensive trips," one former civil servant who has attended Davos multiple times told AD. "In that sense, it’s not much different from an EU summit or the UN’s annual meeting in New York."
