The New Social Contract (NSC) party is facing internal turmoil as regional coordinators and active members sound the alarm over a lack of openness and institution within the party. In two urgent letters sent to the party board, members express deep concerns about the party’s direction and its ability to effectively engage with its base.
The letters, signed by nine of the twelve provincial coordinators and eight submitters of motions from the last party congress, paint a picture of a party struggling to function effectively. “There is no transparency: members do not no what is going on, what decisions have been made, what regulations apply or who is or is not a member of the board,” states one of the letters obtained by RTL News.
This is the second time these coordinators have raised concerns. A previous letter sent in the summer also highlighted the “unworkable situation” and warned of a “tendency in which many members unnecessarily drop out” due to inadequate party organization and poor dialog.
The members point to the enthusiasm generated during a party members day in November 2022, but lament that “that energy, to put it bluntly, has faded away.” they express frustration that their previous attempts to address these issues with the board have been met with silence.
Specifically, the members allege that proposals they put forward to correct the course of the party were withdrawn “due to errors by the board” and were not put to a vote. They also cite a lack of clarity regarding board appointments, the number of board members, and which municipalities the NSC will participate in for the 2026 municipal elections.
“We are currently in an unworkable situation,” the letter concludes, highlighting the urgent need for change within the party.
In response, NSC board member Kilian Wawoe acknowledged the challenges facing the party. “NSC is a party ‘in which everyone is heard’. Differences of opinion are also part of this and we will discuss that. Things have not gone well in the construction of the party and we are working to do that better. We appreciated the efforts of our people in the region enormous. We are thus working to quickly set up a regional structure. In the coming period we will continue to discuss…”
Dutch Coalition Partner NSC Rocked by Internal Turmoil
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Resignations Shake NSC’s foundation
Adding to the party’s woes,NSC State secretary Nora Achahbar resigned in mid-November,citing the “rough manners” within the coalition goverment following riots in Amsterdam. Shortly thereafter, NSC parliamentarians Rosanne Hertzberger and Femke Zeedijk also announced their resignations from Parliament. Political reporter Marieke van de Zilver commented on the situation, stating, “There are rumblings in all levels of NSC: in the faction, in the national board, and now the regions are also sounding the alarm. It now seems to have gone beyond the normal growing pains of a young party – and NSC is also a government party. You can bet that the rest of the coalition is concerned about the stability of NSC.” The NSC’s internal struggles come at a critical juncture for the Dutch government, raising questions about the party’s ability to effectively participate in the coalition and contribute to national policy.##
**World Today News Exclusive: NSC Party Faces Internal Rebellion: “A Party Struggling to Function”**
**By: Sophia Reed,Senior Editor,world Today News**
**Amsterdam** - The New Social Contract (NSC) party,a rising star in Dutch politics,finds itself embroiled in internal turmoil as regional coordinators and active members publicly decry a lack of openness and institution within the party ranks. Two urgent letters,addressed to the party board and obtained by World Today News,paint a grim picture of a party struggling to maintain its momentum and engage with its base.
Joining us today to discuss this brewing crisis is **Dr.Pieter van der Vegt, a renowned political scientist at the University of amsterdam**. Dr. van der Vegt, your expertise on Dutch politics is invaluable. Can you shed some light on the importance of these allegations?
**Dr. van der Vegt:** Absolutely. These letters, signed by a meaningful portion of the NSC’s provincial coordinators and influential members from the last party congress, are a serious indictment of the party leadership. They point to a basic breakdown in dialog and trust between the leadership and the grassroots. The allegations of lack of transparency, mishandling of proposals, and unclear board appointments are deeply worrying.
World Today News: The letters explicitly mention a lack of transparency – members claim to be
in the dark about key decisions, regulations, and even board membership. How crucial is transparency for a
political party, especially one that positions itself as offering a “New Social Contract”?
**Dr. van der Vegt:** Transparency is absolutely paramount. It is indeed the lifeblood of any healthy democracy,
especially for a party that seeks to build trust and credibility with the electorate. without open
communication and clarity about its internal workings, the NSC risks alienating its own members and
appearing hypocritical in its messaging.
World Today News: These concerns were raised previously in a letter sent over the summer. What
does the repetition of these issues suggest about the party leadership’s response?
**Dr. van der Vegt:** The fact that these same concerns are surfacing again suggests a profound
disconnect between the party leadership and its members. It points to a failure to adequately
address the initial concerns and take concrete steps to improve internal communication and organization.
This repeated outcry is a red flag that the situation is not being taken seriously enough.
World Today News: The members cited the party members day in November 2022 as evidence
of the initial enthusiasm for the NSC. What implications could this fading energy have for the
party’s future?
**Dr. van der Vegt:** The NSC’s initial success was built on a wave of enthusiasm and a desire for
change. If this energy continues to dissipate, the party risks losing its momentum and appeal,
especially among those who were originally drawn to its promise of a new approach to politics.
World Today News:** What steps should the NSC leadership take to address these concerns and regain the
trust of its members?
**Dr. van der Vegt:** Firstly, they need to acknowledge the gravity of these allegations publicly and
commit to a transparent and inclusive process of addressing them. This involves open dialogue with
members, clear communication about decisions and policies, and a commitment to participatory
governance.
Secondly, the party needs to review its internal structures and processes to ensure
greater transparency and clarity in decision-making. It should also empower regional coordinators and create
mechanisms for member input and feedback.
Ultimately, the NSC’s future success depends on its ability to rebuild trust with its
membership. Failure to do so will not only damage the party internally but also erode
public confidence in its ability to deliver on its promises.
