ANP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
The majority in the House of Representatives wants President Bergkamp to stay. He may also continue to investigate grievances about his predecessor Arib, as emerged today in the House of Representatives where the Arib issue was debated.
The opposition party PVV, in particular, wants to get rid of Bergkamp, due to his approach to the Arib case. Deputy Markuszower today asked for a debate in the Chamber to discuss his resignation, but no party seems to be in favour.
There was also little enthusiasm to generally discuss anything that had happened recently around the Arib issue, as suggested by MP Van Haga. “We have a neutral council (the Presidium ed) and things like that should be discussed there. Not in this room”, D66 party leader Paternotte expressed the opinion of at least the entire coalition, including VVD, CDA and ChristenUnie.
Bergkamp saw this as support for his approach announced Friday to stay and continue the investigation. “This is a clear statement from the House,” the Speaker said.
Emotion
Bergkamp has been attacked since sudden departure of its senior officials, who suspended work due to the turmoil that had arisen over the inquiry into former Speaker of the House Arib. He has also received criticism from his top officials over his approach to him and from the chairman of the works council said Saturday night in News time trust in Bergkamp.
It was announced last month by Bergkamp and the presidency Research keeps things pretty busy in the House of Representatives. Arib reacted furiously, spoke of a “political showdown” and left the Chamber. MPs drew the independence of the investigation, classified information was leaked to the press and the names of the officials involved became public.
Hockey Club
Following the departure of her top officials, Bergkamp said she regretted the probe had become so political, but felt it was unwise to stop the much-criticized probe. She believes staff complaints should be taken seriously. “It happens in a hockey club too, so why not in the House of Representatives?”
The presidium, made up of parliamentarians from various parties, also wants continue with the “cognitive inquiry”, even if Arib himself has resigned, it was discovered yesterday. Tomorrow the research will be discussed in detail in the Method Committee and then perhaps the project can be fine-tuned.
