Dutch Prime Minister's Promise to Put IRGC on Terrorist Groups List Unlikely to Materialize

(MENAFN) Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently met with Masih Alinejad, a controversial Iranian diaspora member, and made remarks about recent events in Iran, including a promise to persuade the EU to put the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the list of terrorist groups. However, given the political complications in the Netherlands, it is unlikely that Rutte will have enough time to pull off this promise.

Rutte's rhetoric about Iran came just hours after the results of the Dutch regional elections were published, which proved to be a political humiliation for Rutte and his party, as they lost the elections to a party that didn't even exist four years ago. It is not unlikely that Rutte may have to leave office after the Senate elections in May, due to some of his controversial policies that have caused daily struggles for the country.

One of these policies involves reducing carbon dioxide levels in the country by limiting the agricultural industry, which has angered many Dutch people, especially farmers. The Netherlands has been the second biggest exporter of agricultural products in the world for decades, but Rutte's party has concluded that limiting this industry is the most convenient shortcut to achieve emission reduction expectations set for the near future. This decision has forced the government to force-purchase a number of industrial-size farms, leading to strikes and demonstrations by farmers across the country.

Farmers have blocked highways, marched in the streets with tractors, and held demonstrations in cities, with Netherlands' flag hung upside down visible in all pictures. On March 11, farmers arranged a huge demonstration in The Hague, which forced the government to resort to the army for keeping the situation under control. The decision to limit the agricultural industry has caused daily struggles for farmers, leading to widespread anger and protests.

Given the political complications in the Netherlands, Rutte's promise to persuade the EU to put the IRGC on the list of terrorist groups is unlikely to materialize. Rutte's party has faced criticism for their policies that have caused daily struggles for the country, leading to anger and protests among the people. It remains to be seen whether Rutte will be able to salvage his position or if he will have to leave office after the Senate elections in May.

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