An emergency order has been issued in The Hague after “serious concerns about disruptions on Prinsjesdag.”
Prinsjesdag, or the opening of Parliament in the Netherlands, always takes place on the third Tuesday in September. King Willem-Alexander will address a joint session of the States-General of the Netherlands, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and give a Speech from the Throne. This speech will set out the policies for the coming parliamentary session.
The serious concerns originated from the farmers’ protests, which have been going on for months, regarding the nitrogen plans by the government. Farmers have been protesting by blocking highways and distribution centres for supermarkets, among other things. It was feared that the farmers would try to go by tractor to The Hague and disrupt the ceremonial events.
This fear appears to have come true as the first farmers were spotted in the early hours of Tuesday. A spokesperson for the police said, “We are trying to make contact with the group. And we will act if they try to enter the city on their tractors.”
For the first time since the start of the health crisis, the public will be allowed to line the route of the King’s carriage ride. As the traditional Knights’ Hall is still unavailable, the Speech from the Throne will be held in the Royal Theatre, which was once a royal residence.
