Forming a new cabinet always means a period of controversy and unrest, but this year there is a lot of unrest on top of that. The political storm of the past week with a debate lasting until 3 o'clock 'in the morning, a motion of no confidence and an adopted motion of censure has kept everyone busy. It will remain very restless and stormy in the coming period, so take your umbrella!
Formation issue
- The subject of the controversy, the formation documents, have been made public. Via the website www.kabinets formation2021.nl the government has released these documents. The question is whether this transparency will lead to more insight and mutual trust. Part of these formation documents are the conversations that Jorritsma and Ollongren held with the 17 factions, which include Rutte's famous statement (although he cannot remember it) about Omtzigt.
- Now that Van Ark and Koolmees have immediately resigned from their work as scouts following the debate in the House of Representatives, the House has decided to appoint an informant with exploratory tasks. This informant must be a little further removed from politics.
- Normally the scout is chosen by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the largest parties. The 17 faction leaders, meeting today under the leadership of Chairman Arib, decide who will become the informant. Herman Tjeenk Willink has been nominated by the party chairmen as the new informant. He has a lot of experience with formations. The appointment must still be ratified in the parliamentary debate, which is currently underway.
- With the appointment of the informateur, the formation process can begin again. While many parties have indicated, with the motion of no confidence, that they do not like Rutte, the VVD is not dropping its own party leader. The position of the Christian Union in particular means that the current coalition cannot be continued. During the debate last Thursday, Segers decided not to support the motion of no confidence against Rutte, but after criticism from his supporters, especially the young people, Segers announced that the Christian Union no longer wants to be in a government with Rutte.
Herman Tjeenk Willink
Born: January 23, 1942, Amsterdam
residence: Amsterdam
Course: Law, Leiden and Paris
Functions: 1987 -1997 Member of the Senate (PvdA)
1991 – 1997 Speaker of the Senate
1997 – 2012 Vice President of the Council of State
2012 – present Minister of State
Formation experience: 1994, 2010, 2017
New chairman
Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib has had competition by Martin Bosman (PVV) and Vera Bergkamp (D66). Although both competitors have a good chance, Arib's position is strong, despite the debacle with the scouts in recent weeks. On Wednesday morning, April 7, the candidates will present themselves in the parliamentary debate and the new chairman will be elected at the end of the session. Attached is a brief description of the three candidates.
Khadija Arib (#2 PvdA)
Born: October 10, 1960, Hedami (Morocco)
residence: Amsterdam
Course: Sociology, UvA
Functions: Employee ISES (Institute for Social and Economic Studies), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam
Acting head and senior policy officer, Social Shelter and Healthcare, Municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Member of Parliament PvdA, House of Representatives of the States General, The Hague, (1998 – 2006)
Member of Parliament PvdA, House of Representatives of the States General, The Hague, (2007)
- Martin Bosma (#7 PVV)
Born: July 16, 1964, Wormer
Residence: Amsterdam
Course: Political Science, University of Amsterdam, Sociology, New School for Research New York
Functions: Journalist (1981-1999)
Manager Cameo Newsbites (2000-2001)
Director Dutch Radio Group (2002-2003)
Political Secretary, Wilders Group (2004-2006)
- Vera Bergkamp (#3 D66)
Born: June 1, 1971, Amsterdam
Residence: Amsterdam
Course: Personnel and Labor at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Public Administration/Political Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Functions: Chairman of COC Netherlands, interest group for lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, June 2010 – June 2012
Member of the Amsterdam-Centrum district council, March 2010 – September 2012
Member of the House of Representatives of the States General, from September 20, 2012
Who gets which portfolio?
As previously stated, this section is subject to speculation. There isn't much to report on this front at the moment. Unless Pieter Omtzigt's candidacy as minister can be taken seriously. However, in what capacity it is not known, as Rutte had no opinion on that yet.
At communications consultancy Issuemakers we advise and support organizations that have or want to make a social impact. We do this by monitoring, managing and creating social and political issues for them. Our advice, campaigns, lobbying processes and strategies incorporate various disciplines, such as: Public Relations, Public Affairs, Stakeholder Management, Reputation Management, Corporate Communication and Crisis Communication.
