Feb 24, 2024 at 12:22 AM Update: an hour ago
Ernst Kuipers resigned as outgoing Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport at the beginning of this year because he wanted to apply for the job in Singapore for which he has now been hired.
Bee Op1 and in NRC Kuipers acknowledged that he did not yet have a new job when he resigned. Previously, the general thought was that he had already been hired for another position.
The Singaporean university Nanyang Technological University announced on Thursday that Kuipers will work there. The former minister will become vice-chairman of the research department.
Kuipers had previously not told anyone what job or position he was leaving the Binnenhof for, not even to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his own D66 party leader Rob Jetten. This led to strong criticism of the Binnenhof, also because a few weeks later the healthcare budget was discussed in the House of Representatives. Outgoing Minister for Long-Term Care and Sports Conny Helder had to replace him.
Kuipers is disappointed by the fuss, but points out that he has been committed to healthcare for forty years and, as a minister, also to public affairs. With specialist ministers like himself, there is also a greater chance that offers will come from the sector, he says. Other ministers who have risen in politics are more likely to move on to another administrative position.
Kuipers actually wanted to remain minister
Kuipers preferred to continue as minister, but due to the disappointing results for D66 in the elections in November, that was no longer an option. He said he had already received several offers for positions in the months before – since the cabinet fell in the summer – but turned them all down.
Only when the Singaporean university came along again at the end of last year and possibly wanted to continue with someone else, did he decide to apply. The process took a long time because multiple agencies were involved in the appointment.
Kuipers emphasizes that in his new position he is also indirectly valuable to healthcare in the Netherlands, because Nanyang Technological University is known for innovation and improvements in healthcare.
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- 22 Feb 2024 at 07:45
Resigned minister Ernst Kuipers will work at a university in Singapore
Beeld: Getty Images
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2024-02-24 08:00:30
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