ANPCaroline van der Plas (BBB), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) and Geert Wilders (PVV) during the debate
NOS News•yesterday, 11:42am•Adjusted yesterday, 5:51pm
PVV leader Wilders wants Kim Putters to become the next informant. The assignment for Putters, chairman of the Social-Economic Council and PvdA member, is to look for a possible form of cabinet. For example, it may concern a majority cabinet, a minority cabinet (with or without tolerating support), an extra-parliamentary cabinet or a business cabinet.
In the debate on informateur Plasterk’s report, Wilders spoke of “a short interim phase of a few weeks to loosen something up”. Putters, who according to Wilders is willing to become an informant, should, according to the PVV leader, hold discussions with all party leaders, especially about form. “That could be the crowbar.”
There is a majority in the House in favor of Wilders’ proposal. Including GroenLinks-PvdA and D66 did draw the conclusion that the formation round that has now ended has in fact failed and that a ‘scout’ is actually appointed again and we are “back to square one”.
Wilders introduces Kim Putters as a candidate informant
“The shape was ultimately a problem,” Wilders said about the previous formation round. NSC van Omtzigt left there prematurely and it was clear at an early stage of the now ended formation round that PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB could not form a majority cabinet.
According to the PVV leader, it was not allowed to discuss the shape of a cabinet at that stage, because that was not the House’s assignment to the informant. Wilders acknowledges that the assignment to Plasterk was “perhaps, in retrospect” not a good one.
Other faction leaders believe that the parties in the formation should have stopped their talks much earlier, because the conclusion could quickly be drawn that NSC would not participate in a majority or minority cabinet. When asked, informant Plasterk said that he had not gone beyond his assignment and that the other parties also agreed to continue the discussions.
Yesilgöz: extra-parliamentary cabinet makes the most sense
In the debate, VVD leader Yesilgöz announced that she wants to take a step forward and that she no longer holds on to her position that the VVD only wants to tolerate. She called an extra-parliamentary cabinet “the most logical of the remaining options and she also wants to participate in it.”
But she also wants equal participation from all four parties that participated in the previous formation phase. Because there are many different opinions about what an extra-parliamentary cabinet is, the precise form in the formation should be discussed.
Yesilgöz is thinking of a cabinet that works on the basis of what she calls a ‘program agreement’, but “with clear financial frameworks”. According to her, in addition to people from political parties, there can also be people “from outside” in it.
Yesilgöz not only wants to tolerate, but wants to govern in an extra-parliamentary cabinet
NSC leader Omtzigt said in the debate that he would prefer to see a minority cabinet of PVV, VVD and BBB first investigated. After that, an extra-parliamentary or business cabinet would be options. When it comes to extra-parliamentary, he thinks of a broader basis than just the four parties. He could possibly provide ministers for that.
He reiterated that he “didn’t do a very good job” of the way NSC consulted with the other parties last week, but he does support the decision. According to him, the PVV has made “serious moves” on the rule of law.
Omtzigt calls minority cabinet with PVV, VVD and BBB ‘most logical option’
‘Distance Omtzigt to Wilders too great’
But Omtzigt still thinks the distance with Wilders is too great on that point. “This is due to his positions in the election manifesto and because of the statements made in the past that have not been taken back.” He also said that pieces about possible setbacks were the straw that broke the camel’s back.
BBB leader Van der Plas emphasized that the Netherlands is “yearning for a new cabinet” and that her party wants to take responsibility. She lashed out at the way Omtzigt ended the talks last Tuesday. According to Van der Plas, the NSC has not put the national interest first by withdrawing. She heard that Omtzigt is quitting via a message from the NOS: “Not chic, an insult.” She said she would like to continue with NSC. BBB still prefers a majority cabinet, but Van der Plas is also open to “other forms”.
In the debate, Plasterk briefly discussed Omtzigt’s unexpected retirement. The informant said that NSC asked him if Omtzigt could be quickly taken to a hotel in Plasterk’s official car. “Then I said that was excellent. But I didn’t know what the purpose of the destination was and that became known later in the day.” In the evening it turned out that NSC faction members were discussing stopping the consultations in the hotel. Journalists were also received there.
Van der Plas reacts strongly to Omtzigt’s departure: ‘An insult’
During the debate, Wilders received criticism from many sides. Others accused him of not showing leadership and of always blaming others, especially Omtzigt. The PVV leader said that he had taken a constructive stance. He thinks that if NSC had not resigned last week, the four parties might have been able to make agreements.
Many questions were also asked about the statement that Wilders signed on respecting the rule of law and freedom of religion. Many wanted to know what exactly Wilders means by that, given all kinds of statements he has made in the past.
View on Islam has not changed
Wilders then said that Muslims in the Netherlands should be treated the same as everyone else and that the constitution is followed in that regard. “They can visit mosques, they can have Qurans and we are fine with that.” But he added that his views on Islam have not changed. He still thinks it is a reprehensible, hateful and violence-inducing religion.