In Zwolle, the local Volt department is working hard on the campaign for the municipal elections, says Maura Vaandrager of the department. Her party fared so well in the polls. The issue surrounding the Volt Member of Parliament Gündoğan is of course ‘bad’, she thinks.
“This also has an impact on our department. Logically, you come under the banner of Volt. And in terms of timing, so close to the elections, it is all very unfortunate, of course, but it is good that it is carefully researched.”
‘We don’t know anything’
They also get questions about the matter in Zwolle. The other departments – Volt is participating in the elections in ten municipalities – are also seeing this. But everywhere is the same answer. Namely: “We don’t know what’s going on either.”
So they have to wait for the investigation, says Ruud Maas. He is Volt party leader in Utrecht. “We have no influence on that. Of course you are not waiting for this unrest. It is there now, so let’s hope it passes quickly.”
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summary proceedings
The unrest started more than a week ago when Volt announced to suspend Gündoğan, number two on the list, because of multiple reports of transgressive behavior. The MP herself says she has no idea why she was suspended and has filed summary proceedings against the party.
Party leader Laurens Dassen, in turn, insists that the party acted in the right way, as can be seen in this video:
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Due to the fuss around Gündoğan, the party loses almost a third of its seats in the latest poll by Maurice de Hond (from 10 to 7 virtual parliamentary seats). There is no panic (‘it’s just polls’) among regional Volt politicians, although some honestly say they hope the nonsense won’t last too long.
“It may be that all of this has a negative effect just before the elections,” says Jacco Rubenkamp, leader in Eindhoven. “It is of course a shame that this is happening just before the elections. On the other hand, I assume that people will vote for us because of our program and what we stand for.”
External investigation
He thinks it is good that the party has externally investigated the reports that come in about Gündoğan. “Afterwards, the approach to this issue will certainly be evaluated.”
In Amsterdam they also get a lot of questions. Itay Garmy is campaign manager in the capital. “I am confident that the faction and the national board will solve it. We are campaigning with fifteen motivated candidates. It is an incredibly unpleasant situation. For those involved, for the group and for Nilüfer,” he says in a response.
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The vast majority of Volt politicians who spoke to RTL Nieuws do not want to take sides. Because they know nothing substantive. The politicians therefore attach great importance to a thorough investigation. “That is most valuable in the interest of all those involved. And let that research be done carefully,” says Jules Ortjens, leader in Maastricht.
“I will continue with my work in Maastricht. It is annoying, but it is the most annoying for everyone involved,” says the Limburger.
‘Very sin’
Volt volunteer and parliamentary candidate Joris van Oppenraaij from The Hague had hoped that ‘this shit wouldn’t happen to our party now.’ “I notice that the issue really touches me,” says Van Oppenraaij. He is responsible for fundraising as a volunteer and knows both Dassen and Gündoğan quite well. “But I don’t know what’s going on either. So I can’t blame anyone now. Maybe I’ll see it differently later.”
Oppenraaij mainly calls it ‘a real shame’ for the party. “You walk out of your feet as a volunteer for weeks. Not just me, many other volunteers do that.”
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Former VVD MP Arend Jan Boekestijn now works as an advisor for Volt’s parliamentary group. He understands that regional politicians are fed up with the issue. “Of course this is harmful. It is terrible for any party.”
radio silence
Boekestijn emphasizes that he has not advised on the matter and he understands that there will be radio silence as long as an external agency is investigating the matter. “The fact that Gündoğan in the meantime already threatens summary proceedings and does not want to talk to the external agency is quite deadly. Is it still wise to continue together?”
Boekestijn also thinks it is very good that an independent agency conducts research. “And that includes radio silence. Although an issue like this always leaves scars.”
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Frits Wester: ‘Amateurish state of affairs’
“It is a wonderful and also amateurish state of affairs at Volt,” says political commentator Frits Wester. “You cannot do that to anyone who is suspended as a party member, but does not get the reason himself.”
It is very good if the allegations are really independently investigated, says Wester. “But the least is that you tell the person in question what is going on so that he or she can consider whether he or she wants to go further. In addition, you see that all kinds of speculation immediately arise about what that alleged transgressive behavior is. would have withheld.”
This can also wrongly cause irreparable damage to someone, says Wester. “So you see again that even a new party that values transparency and a new political culture, immediately goes wrong at the first best issue in its own circle.”
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