News hour relies on both confidential and public documents and background discussions.
Shortly after their appointment, the scouts allegedly had a confidential conversation with then President of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib. They asked for “more time” on March 19, 2021, because they wanted to see whether Omtzigt – now an independent Member of Parliament, but then still a CDA member – would get more votes than party leader Wopke Hoekstra.
Arib refused the scouts’ request to wait for the CDA election battle. Omtzigt did get a remarkable number of votes, but Hoekstra slightly more, the Electoral Council announced a week later.
‘Function elsewhere’ almost cost Rutte his head
The CDA was internally in its stomach with Omtzigt, who was popular with voters, who was sick at home. Within the CDA, Omtzigt’s ambitions were controversial and Hoekstra was appointed by the board as the new leader.
In a later evaluation of the exploration, the conversation with Arib was already reported, but notes from a civil servant now show that Jorritsma (VVD) said in that conversation that Omtzigt was a problem. In that phase it is not customary to talk about MPs or possible coalitions.
Shortly after Ollongren (D66) was photographed on March 25 with notes stating “position Omtzigt, function elsewhere”, the scouts returned their task.
There was then great political commotion, which almost cost Prime Minister Mark Rutte a week later. He was the one who had spoken about Omtzigt during the first reconnaissance, but had initially denied it. It led to a breach of trust with the opposition and it also damaged confidence in politics.
Ontvang een melding bij nieuwe berichten over de Nederlandse politiek
The Chamber wants an urgent debate about the actions of scouts
Opposition parties are now aiming for a debate about the actions of Jorritsma and Ollongren. For example, the PVV, SP and BBB, among others, say in critical reactions that “the Chamber has been lied to”.
Omtzigt himself says in a response that it was “abundantly obvious” that a lot had been said about him after the fall of the cabinet. “The scouts have always denied that, including to me, but that was always very implausible.”
He also says that it touches the core of Dutch politics. “It’s about power games and not about solving the big and difficult issues.”
2023-06-10 12:29:51
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