ANPState Secretary Folkert Idsinga of Finance (NSC)
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 23:23
A majority in the House of Representatives wants NSC State Secretary Idsinga of Finance to make public in which companies he has shares or other financial interests. “Where is the good governance of NSC?” asks SP leader Dijk. He wants to be able to assess whether Idsinga at the Ministry of Finance makes decisions in “his own interest or in the national interest”.
The SP, GL-PvdA, D66 and coalition party PVV respond with their request to reports from RTL News. They do not trust that there is no conflict of interest.
“It doesn’t seem like good governance and not sustainably motivated to me,” sneers PVV leader Wilders on
Idsinga distanced his financial interests when he became State Secretary. This means that he no longer has direct influence on decisions regarding these shares, options or other business contracts. It is customary for new ministers to discuss this with the formateur upon their appointment, but they are themselves responsible for correct implementation. Disclosure is not required.
People’s private lives
“I think it is good that there is transparency,” Idsinga responds to RTL. “But there is also such a thing as people’s private lives. I do my best to be as transparent as possible within the rules that have been set and I don’t think I need to go further than that.”
In a study by News hour In March this year, in the declarations of private interests, Idsinga, then still a Member of Parliament, appeared as the owner of securities portfolios and minority interests in various companies. Even then, Idsinga and NSC leader Omtzigt thought it was sufficient that the assignment complied with the rules, without full disclosure.
The Curious Case of Idsinga’s Interests
In a classic example of government transparency and modern British comedy colliding, we find ourselves debating the wonderful world of financial interests. State Secretary Folkert Idsinga of Finance has suddenly become the star of a political saga that has all the hallmarks of a sitcom – complete with plot twists that rival those of a quasi-dramatic soap opera!
It appears that a majority of the House wants Idsinga to dish the dirt on which companies he has shares or other financial interests in. The SP leader, Dijk, is at the forefront of this movement, asking the all-important question: “Where is the good governance of NSC?” A rhetorical question, my dear friends, that feels quite like asking, “What time is it?” when there’s a giant clock on the wall. Because let’s face it, if we wanted answers, we wouldn’t be looking at politics now, would we?
The coalition of parties pushing for transparency – SP, GL-PvdA, D66, and the PVV – apparently believes that it’s tough to trust a man with undisclosed interests. Geert Wilders, the colorful PVV leader, quipped, “It doesn’t seem like good governance and not sustainably motivated to me.” Well Geert, sustainability might indeed be a stretch – but good governance? That might just be asking for a unicorn in a three-piece suit!
Playing it Safe
Our hero, Idsinga, has stated that he “distanced” himself from his financial interests upon becoming State Secretary. You know, a bit like buying the latest phone and then immediately putting it in a drawer because, let’s face it, nobody wants the drama of dealing with it, right? Yet, this savvy bureaucrat argues that discussing financial interests with the formateur is enough. And here’s the catch – he doesn’t have to disclose anything! How’s that for a magic trick? One moment your investments are sitting pretty, the next moment they vanish in one swoop of bureaucratic sleight of hand. Simply enchanting!
But wait, there’s more! When Idsinga was a Member of Parliament, he was reported as owning securities portfolios and minority interests in various companies. So, there’s no doubt he had some real estate in the stock market. Yet, much like a magician on stage, he believes that simply abiding by the rules is equivalent to being totally transparent. Alakazam! Welcome to Wonderland, folks!
The Transparency Tango
In a world where politicians dance around the truth like it’s a hot potato, Idsinga sees himself as doing his best to maintain transparency within the existing rules. In his own words, “There is also such a thing as people’s private lives.” Ah yes, the old “my private life” escape hatch. Remind you of anybody? Just imitating their best “leave me alone” posture seems like a tailored suit excuse in a board meeting. But can we really allow private lives to overshadow public trust? Especially when it’s our money at stake?
It’s time to ask the tough questions, folks. If Idsinga wants to toe the line between transparency and privacy, can we trust the man holding the purse strings? It’s almost like asking a cat to guard a fish tank – not the most reassuring of relationships!
In conclusion, we’ve established that while Idsinga may follow the letter of the law, the spirit of real transparency seems to be dancing a jig on the sidelines. And as we all know, true governance isn’t just about abiding by rules; it’s about holding folks accountable, grabbing a spotlight, and ensuring that trust isn’t an endangered species in the wild jungle of politics.
So, let’s keep our eyes peeled, and our popcorn at the ready, because this political drama is bound to have a few more surprises up its sleeves!
A majority in the House of Representatives is demanding that NSC State Secretary Folkert Idsinga of Finance publicly disclose the companies in which he holds shares or other financial interests. “Where is the good governance of NSC?” questions SP leader Lilian Marijnissen, emphasizing the need for transparency in assessing whether Idsinga’s decisions at the Ministry of Finance serve “his own interests or the national interest.”
The request for disclosure is echoed by opposition parties, including the SP, GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, and the coalition party PVV. Collectively, they express their skepticism over Idsinga’s assurances that there is no conflict of interest. They cite a sense of unease regarding the accountability standards being upheld.
“It doesn’t seem like good governance and not sustainably motivated to me,” PVV leader Geert Wilders declared, casting doubt on Idsinga’s ability to remain impartial in his financial dealings.
Upon assuming the role of State Secretary, Idsinga claimed to have distanced himself from his financial interests, thereby eliminating any direct influence over decisions pertaining to his shares, options, or other contractual obligations. Although it is standard practice for newly appointed ministers to have discussions regarding such matters with the formateur, they ultimately bear the responsibility for adhering to established guidelines. Importantly, explicit disclosure of these interests is not mandated by current rules.
“I think it is good that there is transparency,” Idsinga stated in his response to RTL News. “But there is also such a thing as people’s private lives. I do my best to be as transparent as possible within the rules that have been set, and I don’t think I need to go further than that.”
A study conducted by News hour in March this year revealed that in declarations of private interests, Idsinga, who was still a Member of Parliament at that time, was listed as the owner of various securities portfolios and minority stakes in multiple companies. At that point, both Idsinga and NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt considered compliance with existing rules to be sufficient, without feeling the need for full disclosure.
