Now that the cabinet formation actually seems to be in the final phase, people are starting to get nervous here and there. ‘As long as I don’t get skipped’ – it’s the nightmare of every minister-to-be who thinks it’s high time for a seat in the cabinet. It’s been long enough. And now that all reliable sources have reported to almost all media that the new cabinet will have twenty ministers, the chances are increasing. Twenty, that’s four more than now.
According to that picture, the VVD will have eight ministers (two more than now), D66 six (also two more) and CDA (4) and ChristenUnie (2) will keep their current number. The cabinets led by Mark Rutte have never had so many ministers: Rutte-1 had twelve, Rutte-2 one more and Rutte-3 sixteen. It is increasing per cabinet, despite the VVD leader’s promise to limit the number of ministerial posts.
Another promise from Rutte has yet to be fulfilled. The new cabinet must have more impetus, Rutte said last week at the digital party congress of the VVD. This intention, combined with Sigrid Kaag’s desire for a different administrative culture, makes it almost impossible to continue with the same people. Because they are not only from the old culture; they also lack the impetus that the current team lacks, according to Rutte.
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So, for example, can Hugo de Jonge stay, even if he really wants to? Not a bad word about his efforts, but he has been damaged by the many stitches he has dropped (late vaccinations, late boosters, a corona dashboard we never heard of again, the misplaced call to ‘dance with Janssen’, and the irresponsible early release of measures such as the mouth cap obligation and keeping a distance). That record has not gone unnoticed by the CDA and there are open doubts about whether De Jonge should return at all.
When it comes to elan, you can also question a reappointment of Wopke Hoekstra. He will lose his beloved Ministry of Finance to D66 anyway. A beautiful moment to say goodbye. The CDA could deploy a whole new team, because Ank Bijleveld left earlier and mouth cap singer Ferd Grapperhaus faces the same fate. He jeopardized his credibility with his heavily criticized corona wedding. Four new CDA members with new impetus, Rutte would appreciate that.
There is also room for new impetus at D66 now that Wouter Koolmees is leaving politics and Sigrid Kaag may remain in Parliament to lead the faction. Kajsa Ollongren has not turned out to be what her party had hoped for in Rutte-3. She abolished the referendum, which was painful for her own supporters, failed to get housing construction going and was met with an passed motion of censure in the Senate, which had not happened since 1875. After her blunder with the formation pieces, which made it known that the negotiators were looking for a ‘position elsewhere’ for Pieter Omtzigt, Ollongren seems to be done with. D66 can also provide new impetus; quality enough in the back.
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Carola Schouten remains a ministerial topper at the ChristenUnie. But it is unclear who will be the second minister next to her. A return of former minister André Rouvoet, now boss of the stinging and testing GGD staff, is not excluded in Christian circles.
With the VVD it can go almost in any direction. Rutte remains prime minister as the undisputed leader of the party, where there is no sign of dissatisfaction. But then it becomes guesswork and nobody from the current team is sure of his post. There are still seven places to be filled and if the intended prime minister really goes for new impetus, for a cabinet with a different appearance, then this is his chance – provided he changes himself too. It would not be the first time that Rutte puts dog-faithful people aside because they no longer fit in with his new vision.
In any case, it is not a sign of new impetus if the corona press conferences are still given by Rutte and De Jonge.
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