All very civilised
Today I watched the entire debate from The Hague on State Secretary Medy van de Laan's financial proposals for public broadcasting (I'm on vacation too). It's the first time I have followed an entire day's debate from start to finish. There's a solid 100 kbps video link on the Web, but it's just a single camera in longshot and it's impossible to see who is speaking unless they are using a lot of hand gestures. But what a contrast from the shambles at Westminster. This was not a plenary session, but it was conducted like one, with speakers - including the State Secretary herself - addressing the Chair rather than each other. There were a lot of interruptions, but only when the Chairman allowed it. On the few occasions when anyone did speak at the wrong moment or refused to take their seat, the Chairman reprimanded them by name. Everyone is free to get up and pour themselves some coffee during debates, none of the nonsense of being afraid to leave the Chamber in case you miss your turn to speak. They take official breaks for coffee and lunch too.
At times the debate became a bit long-winded, but in six hours I was able to hear every word that was said. Parliamentarians here may make some odd decisions sometimes, but they make them with great dignity and respect for each other. It isn't a soap opera like Westminster, but when you bear in mind these are the people who run the country, neither ought it to be.
6:59:47 PM 
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