Ruud Lubbers: A Political Journey with Highs, Lows, and Euthanasia Decisions
Ah, Ruud Lubbers, a man who gave us one-liners, crisis management, and a rather uncomfortable conversation about that little issue called euthanasia. If you thought politics was a game of chess, Lubbers treated it more like a game of Twister after a few too many drinks. He was pragmatic, sure, but he also had a knack for winding himself into a moral wrestling match on issues like the sanctity of life—remember those discussions on euthanasia? It was like watching two politicians argue while trying to avoid stepping on each other’s feet.
The Dreamy Pragmatist
Born just before the war in Rotterdam, the young Lubbers was what biographer Lennart Steenbergen calls a “somewhat dreamy boy.” I suppose that’s a euphemism for “he spent a bit too much time at boarding school daydreaming.” While other kids were playing with marbles, Lubbers was likely plotting how to solve the nation’s financial crisis. By the mere age of 34, he strutted into the role of Minister of Economic Affairs with the confidence of a man who’s just won a game of Monopoly without spending a penny. High intelligence, they said—perhaps a bit too much for the average budget meeting.
In 1982, he took the plunge as Prime Minister. Imagine it: a political world turned upside down, and there’s Lubbers at the helm, juggling massive budget cuts while simultaneously trying to convince the country that everything was fine. It was like watching someone balance on a tightrope while wrestling a bear – one false move, and the whole act unravels!
Wrestling with Euthanasia
The euthanasia debate was the icing on Lubbers’ political cake. On one side, we had the CDA wanting to keep this a criminal act, while on the other was a growing movement for personal autonomy—because who doesn’t love a little death and taxes debate, right? As he navigated these turbulent waters, Lubbers found himself in quite the ethical pickle. He wasn’t against the idea, but let’s just say he was “guiding” it—much like a parent trying to explain why their teen shouldn’t date that trouble-making kid from down the street.
“He kept things together in a time of enormous division.”
Political Disappointments and Revelations
Of course, no political career is complete without a few missteps. Picture this: Lubbers, the grand maestro of cabinet formations, declares he’s backing the wrong candidate for leadership. I mean, even I wouldn’t dare trivialize political strategy this way. The CDA lost a whopping twenty seats! That’s right: twenty! You could say it was less of a political decision and more of a game-ending blunder that would leave anyone wondering why they didn’t just stay home.
Even being the UN High Commissioner for Refugees couldn’t save him from scandal. Oh no, the man who stepped down after allegations of inappropriate behavior, which he claimed were false. Talk about political drama! But in spite of everything, he did manage to delve deeply into the refugee issue, foregoing salary and trying to make a difference—only to leave under a cloud of controversy. If there’s a lesson in there, it’s that sometimes helping others doesn’t quite elicit gratitude from the universe.
A Soft Goodbye
As dementia began to creep into Lubbers’ life, the air around him shifted from political debate to a more poignant, personal decision. He contacted the Dutch Association for a Voluntary End of Life. A bold move, but one that many might find themselves contemplating in moments of vulnerability. It’s the bittersweet conclusion to a career marked by careful navigation through crises, serious philosophical quandaries, and an undeniable flair for the dramatic.
In his final act, surrounded by family, enjoying a glass of corn wine and saying goodbye, you can’t help but feel he closed the curtain on his life the way he lived it—with the idea that perhaps, just perhaps, the choice to bow out gracefully is as liberating as those budget cuts he once championed.
So here’s to Ruud Lubbers! A complex character who demonstrated that politics isn’t merely a game of “who has the best arguments” but a multi-faceted journey fraught with ethical concerns, personal decisions, and the occasional crisis that could use a bit of humility. And isn’t that a lesson we all need?
Former Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, who passed away recently, was a complex figure characterized by his pragmatic approach to governance and a deep-seated worry about the ethical dilemmas facing society. He led three cabinets effectively during his tenure, deftly maneuvering the Netherlands through turbulent crises while grappling with significant moral issues, most notably surrounding euthanasia.
According to his upcoming biography *Ruud Lubbers, a bit different*, which is set for release next week, it is revealed that he opted for euthanasia in his beloved hometown of Rotterdam as his health declined.
He kept things together in a time of enormous division.
Lennart Steenbergen, biographer
Born in Rotterdam just before World War II, Lubbers was described as a “somewhat dreamy boy” by his biographer Lennart Steenbergen. He faced a rigorous upbringing at boarding school, where he was conditioned to integrate into the upper echelons of society.
Described as a mercurial figure, Lubbers possessed high intelligence and a myriad of talents that impressed the formators of the Den Uyl cabinet in 1973, leading to his appointment as Minister of Economic Affairs at just 34 years old.
In 1982, Lubbers ascended to the role of Prime Minister, succeeding Dries van Agt. Former Finance Minister Onno Ruding noted, “Lubbers was principled, but also pragmatic,” reflecting the balance he sought in his political choices.
Crisis
One notable clash occurred in 1983 when civil servants went on strike in protest of a 3.5 percent salary cut. Lubbers, opting for a more conciliatory approach, publicly reduced the cut to 3 percent during a television interview. Ruding expressed his frustration with this decision, stating, “If you make an agreement, you have to stick to it, even if things don’t go well.”
Steenbergen regards this incident as emblematic of Lubbers’ pragmatic strength: “At a time of enormous division, with massive budget cuts and civil service protests, he ultimately reined in everyone and pushed through recovery policies.”
During Lubbers’s tenure, the contentious topic of euthanasia emerged prominently. The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party aimed to keep euthanasia criminalized, while Lubbers harbored reservations about the D66 party’s advocacy for personal autonomy in end-of-life choices. However, he did express the possibility that a doctor could assist a patient “guided to the end of life” under specific circumstances, leading to the law passed in 2001 which allows for exemption from criminal prosecution under stipulated conditions.
Disappointments
Amid his third cabinet from 1989 to 1994, faction leader Elco Brinkman appeared to be the natural successor to Lubbers’ leadership of the CDA. However, in a surprising turn before the 1994 elections, Lubbers publicly declared his support for Ernst Hirsch Ballin, the party’s third candidate, rather than Brinkman.
Ruding recounted his astonishment: “I was stunned. You don’t do something like that.” Consequently, the CDA suffered a significant loss, shedding twenty seats in the parliamentary elections.
Following this setback, Lubbers faced increasing challenges in his political career, being overlooked for the presidency of the European Commission, as well as not securing the position of Secretary General of NATO after unsuccessful interviews.
In 2001, he assumed a pivotal role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Steenbergen remarked, “He really did a good job there, sweeping through the organization and immersing himself in refugee issues, even waiving his salary and allowances.”
Nevertheless, this role also concluded under a cloud of controversy, as Lubbers resigned in 2005 following allegations of inappropriate behavior from a UN employee, which he vehemently denied.
Euthanasia
Lubbers’ departure from the UN was a significant blow to him, as noted by Sylvia Tóth, the first Dutch woman with a listed company and a close friend. She stated, “It is extremely sad that the career of someone who has meant so much to our country and internationally had to end this way.”
In 2010, Lubbers played a crucial role as an informant during cabinet formations, successfully aiding in the creation of a minority cabinet comprised of the VVD and CDA, with conditional support from the PVV. However, in his later years, he increasingly withdrew from public life as he battled depression and dementia.
Faced with the realities of his declining health, Lubbers reached out to the Dutch Association for a Voluntary End of Life (NVVE) to discuss euthanasia options. “The dementia was a reason for him to make agreements in advance about euthanasia,” Steenbergen shared, emphasizing that he consciously prepared for this period of his life.
In a poignant farewell, as he called his family together in his final days, they shared heartfelt goodbyes over glasses of corn wine.
Tóth reflected on this intimate moment, stating, “I didn’t know, but it doesn’t surprise me either. The last time I was with him, he took me down in the elevator. He grabbed my hand. Afterwards, I realized that was his farewell.”
08e-0 gBkGhs”>However, even this prestigious role was marred by controversy, leading to his resignation following allegations of inappropriate behavior, which he denied. This chapter cast a shadow over his commitment to humanitarian causes, illustrating that even well-intentioned efforts can be clouded by personal missteps.
A Lasting Implication
As Ruud Lubbers’ life drew to a close, it became evident that his journey had been one of complexity—a tapestry of triumphs and trials stitched together by ethical considerations and deeply personal decisions. His battle with dementia symbolized not just a personal struggle but served as a poignant reminder of the very subjects he grappled with during his political career.
Lubbers utilized his autonomy in the face of life’s most daunting challenges, choosing euthanasia as a final act of agency. It is a choice that reverberates through the conversation around euthanasia and personal autonomy today, reflecting a society that continues to wrestle with these pivotal moral dilemmas.
His story underscores the importance of navigating ethics within the political sphere, marking a legacy that urges future leaders to embrace both the weight of their decisions and the necessity of introspection. Ruud Lubbers might be gone, but the conversations he sparked will echo in the halls of governance for generations to come.
So, let’s raise our glasses to a leader who exemplified the dance between duty and conscience, between action and reflection. ”To Ruud Lubbers,” we say, “A life well lived, albeit not without its controversies.” And perhaps, that’s the most honest message we can take from his compelling journey—embrace complexity, strive for understanding, and never shy away from the ethical dilemmas that define our humanity.
