The upcoming elections are causing frustration as many question the necessity of election debates, which are seen as ineffective and clichéd. The author expresses a desire for change in how politicians engage with the public during this period.
- Elections are approaching again this year.
- Politicians only engage during election campaigns.
- Dilan and Esther showed little empathy.
- Research shows debates don't change votes.
- Propose one hour of TV for each leader.
- Nine months until the next elections.
The article critiques the typical election campaign activities, including staged interviews and the predictable behavior of politicians. It highlights the repetitive nature of debates, where candidates often resort to shouting and clichés rather than substantive discussions.
Suggestions for reform include giving each party leader an hour of airtime to discuss concrete proposals, rather than engaging in traditional debates. The author proposes testing politicians in crisis situations to assess their problem-solving abilities.
Originally reported by www.nrc.nl as “Stop toch met die vreselijke verkiezingsdebatten” on 2025-09-22 23:40:00.
