After four months
By RTL Nieuws·0 minutes ago·Edit: 0 minutes ago
© ANPRTL
Thirteen of the twenty-nine ministers of the Rutte IV cabinet do not yet have a new job. This is evident from inquiries by the political editors of RTL News. The outgoing Rutte IV cabinet was succeeded by the Schoof cabinet on July 2 of this year.
Rutte IV, which consisted of VVD, D66, CDA and Christian Union, took office in January 2022 and fell in July 2023 due to disagreements over asylum measures. It took until July of this year for the Schoof cabinet to take office.
Between the fall and the new cabinet, several ministers from the outgoing cabinet were given new jobs, such as Wopke Hoekstra, Ernst Kuipers and Gunay Uslu.
But not everyone found new work so easily. Of the 29 ministers, more than four months later, 13 still have nothing new.
Rutte will get to work
The largest party in the cabinet, the VVD, provided the most ministers in Rutte IV, eleven. Among them is the namesake of the cabinet, Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He has been working as NATO Secretary General since October.
No fewer than four of the VVD ministers returned to the House of Representatives, including Dilan Yeşilgöz and Eric van der Burg.
Of the VVD members in the cabinet, four former ministers still have no new work. These are Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs), Mark Harbers (Infrastructure), Christophe van der Maat (Defense) and Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation).
Ollongren unemployed
Of the nine former D66 ministers, five do not yet have another job. This concerns Kajsa Ollongren (Defence), Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education), Franc Weerwind (Legal Protection), Fleur Gräper (Culture and Media) and Steven van Weyenberg (Finance).
But there are also D66 members who got very prominent jobs, such as the prematurely departed Sigrid Kaag, who became senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza at the United Nations. Alexandra van Huffelen was State Secretary responsible for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization is the new chairman of the Executive Board of Radboud University. She also holds the (unpaid) chairmanship of D66.
And then of course there is Ernst Kuipers, whose sudden departure raised eyebrows. He became professor and vice chairman of the research department at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Redundancy pay scheme for ministers and state secretaries
If a minister or state secretary resigns, he or she is entitled to a benefit of 80 percent of the last remuneration in the first year and 70 percent of the last remuneration from the second year. The benefit lasts for the same period as the period the person has served as a minister or state secretary.
It applies for a minimum of two and a maximum of three years and two months, provided that the minister/state secretary has been in office for at least three months. It does not matter what the reason for resignation was for the redundancy payment.
The benefit expires as soon as the former minister/state secretary earns sufficient income in another position. Income is deducted from the redundancy payment. There is a job application requirement up to the age of 65.
Bron: parlement.com
CDA
Of the six CDA ministers from the Rutte IV cabinet, three still have their hands free: Hanke Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs), Karien van Gennip (Social Affairs and Employment) and Vivianne Heijnen (Infrastructure and Water Management). For example, Hugo de Jonge became acting King’s Commissioner in Zeeland and Wopke Hoekstra – who left prematurely – started working as European Commissioner.
ChristianUnion
Of the former ministers of the Christian Union, only Piet Adema (Agriculture) does not yet have a new job. Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy) became the new mayor of Rotterdam, Maarten van Ooijen recently became chairman of the Social Advisory Council of the PO Council and the prematurely departed Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture) is chairman of Food Banks Netherlands.
What’s Next for Rutte IV’s Unlucky Thirteen?
Ah, the fascinating world of Dutch politics – a realm where ministers occasionally find themselves in a loopy limbo, waiting for their next gig like a contestant on some bizarre version of Survivor. It appears that after the spectacular collapse of the Rutte IV cabinet, all but a handful of the ex-ministers have managed to find new playgrounds to frolic in. Spoiler alert: 13 out of the 29 ministers are currently stirring their tea, watching daytime TV, and contemplating their next career move!
The Shake-Up: Rutte IV’s Fall and Schoof’s Ascension
Rutte IV was a delightful cocktail of VVD, D66, CDA, and the Christian Union, officially kicking things off in January 2022. However, it looks like they ended up being a little too shaken, not stirred. They took their last bow in July 2023 thanks to heated bickering over asylum measures – proving once again that politics can be just as dramatic as a soap opera.
If you’re wondering, the Schoof cabinet officially took the reins shortly thereafter, but as we like to say, the show must go on! Or at least it should, unless you’re one of those unlucky ministers still hunting for a job like it’s Black Friday and you’re after that last flat-screen TV.
Excuses, Excuses: Where Are They Now?
Among the VVD stalwarts, Prime Minister Mark Rutte managed to find himself a cozy spot as NATO Secretary General. Talk about an upgrade! But hold your applause – four of his VVD comrades are left without a gig. They’re probably practicing their ‘I’m *still* an important politician’ faces in the mirror. I mean, Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs), Mark Harbers (Infrastructure), Christophe van der Maat (Defense), and Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), or as I like to call them, the ‘Four Who Dared to Dream’!
Meanwhile, the D66 crew is feeling particularly adventurous, with five out of nine former ministers still contemplating their life choices. Notably, Kajsa Ollongren (Defence) must feel rather defenceless right now, as she’s out there twiddling her thumbs. Can someone pass her a hobby?
Cash-a-Moo: The Perks of Leaving Office
Now, here’s the kicker: if you think these ex-ministers are just sitting idle and twiddling thumbs, think again! They’re actually cashing in on some pretty sweet redundancy pay. It’s like getting a golden parachute, but for politicians! An ex-minister is entitled to a whopping 80% of their last pay for the first year, followed by 70% in the second. Not bad for what appears to be a very luxurious four-month holiday of aimlessness!
Of course, this means they can’t sit around too long. If they bag a new job, their redundancy dosh starts to shrink faster than a politician’s promise. But hey, we all need a bit of leisure time after the turbulence of cabinet misadventures!
Where Are Our In-Demand Ministers?
It’s a mixed bag for the CDA and Christian Union ministers. While three of the CDA ministers are still searching for something to do – perhaps they’ll take up knitting? – the Christian Union seems to be having a little more luck. Piet Adema (Agriculture) is the sole soul left wandering the job market, while Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy) has snagged herself a gig as the new mayor of Rotterdam. Who knew political careers could be like musical chairs?
Conclusion: A Political Game of Musical Chairs
In conclusion, the Rutte IV cabinet saga is a stark reminder that in politics, sometimes you’re on top of the world, and other times, you’re left clutching your resume. For those still looking, it’s not just a matter of location – it’s all about being the right person at the right time. As for the rest? Well, they’ll just have to find a way to fill their days without making too much of a racket. Here’s hoping our “Unlucky Thirteen” find their place back in the limelight – preferably before they start thinking about a career in local reality TV. Because honestly, we all know that job competition is pretty fierce in that arena!
Thirteen out of the twenty-nine ministers from the Rutte IV cabinet remain without new employment following the transition to the Schoof cabinet on July 2, a situation revealed by investigations conducted by the political editors at RTL News. The Rutte IV cabinet, which began its term in January 2022, dissolved in July 2023 amid internal disputes concerning asylum policies.
After the collapse of the Rutte IV cabinet, various ministers found new opportunities, including notable figures such as Wopke Hoekstra, Ernst Kuipers, and Gunay Uslu, showcasing a more favorable job placement situation for some.
Rutte will get to work
The VVD party, being the largest in the cabinet, appointed the highest number of ministers to the Rutte IV administration, totaling eleven positions. Among these is Prime Minister Mark Rutte himself, who transitioned to serve as NATO Secretary General starting in October.
Returning to the House of Representatives, four VVD ministers, including Dilan Yeşilgöz and Eric van der Burg, have re-entered the political arena. However, there remains a faction of former ministers from the VVD who have yet to secure new roles, which includes Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs), Mark Harbers (Infrastructure), Christophe van der Maat (Defense), and Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation).
Ollongren unemployed
A significant number of former D66 ministers face a similar predicament; specifically, five out of the nine do not have new jobs lined up. This list includes Kajsa Ollongren (Defence), Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education), Franc Weerwind (Legal Protection), Fleur Gräper (Culture and Media), and Steven van Weyenberg (Finance).
Conversely, some D66 members have landed prestigious positions, such as the former Sigrid Kaag, now serving as a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza at the United Nations. Meanwhile, Alexandra van Huffelen, who previously held the position of State Secretary responsible for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization, has now taken on the role of chairperson of the Executive Board of Radboud University while simultaneously holding the unpaid chairmanship of D66. Additionally, Ernst Kuipers made headlines for his rapid transition to a professor and vice chairman at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore after leaving his ministerial position.
Redundancy pay scheme for ministers and state secretaries
The redundancy payment scheme entitles ministers or state secretaries who resign to a benefit that is 80 percent of their last salary during the first year, dropping to 70 percent in subsequent years. This benefit duration corresponds directly to the length of their service in their ministerial role, lasting between a minimum of two to a maximum of three years and two months, granted they have been in office for at least three months.
Regardless of the reason for their resignation, all former ministers or state secretaries are eligible for this financial support. However, the payment ceases as soon as they gain sufficient income from another job, with any new earnings deducted from their redundancy benefits. Furthermore, a job application requirement is enforced for those up to the age of 65.
Bron: parlement.com
CDA
Among the six CDA ministers from the Rutte IV cabinet, three remain jobless: Hanke Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs), Karien van Gennip (Social Affairs and Employment), and Vivianne Heijnen (Infrastructure and Water Management). In contrast, Hugo de Jonge took on the role of acting King’s Commissioner in Zeeland, while Wopke Hoekstra, who exited prematurely, has transitioned to working as a European Commissioner.
ChristianUnion
Among the former ministers of the Christian Union, only Piet Adema (Agriculture) is currently without a job. Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy) has embarked on a new journey as the mayor of Rotterdam, while Maarten van Ooijen recently assumed the chairmanship of the Social Advisory Council of the PO Council. Additionally, the prematurely departed Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture) now leads as the chairman of Food Banks Netherlands.
How does the requirement to actively seek employment until the age of 65 impact the financial stability provided by redundancy payments?
% of their last salary for the first year, decreasing to 70% in the second year. This financial cushion is designed to provide some stability while they seek new employment. However, there are stipulations: they must actively seek jobs until the age of 65, and any new income will be deducted from their redundancy payments, meaning that they can’t just sit back and relax indefinitely.
This system has led to an interesting dynamic for the “Unlucky Thirteen” from the Rutte IV cabinet. While some of their peers have swiftly transitioned to new roles in other sectors or returned to politics, quite a few are left pondering their next steps, likely feeling the urgency to find new positions before their redundancy pay diminishes.
The political landscape remains fluid, and as these former ministers navigate their career paths, it will be intriguing to see who finds their footing first in this ever-competitive arena. With the ex-ministers adapting to life outside of their governmental roles, their next career moves could very well shape the future of Dutch politics and public service. It’s clear that, while the Rutte IV cabinet’s tenure may have ended in conflict, the narratives of its members are far from over. The next chapters await, filled with potential new endeavors—or perhaps return trips to the political stage, should the right opportunity arise.
while the benefits of redundancy may provide some safety net for these ministers, they will need to dodge the turbulence of job hunting as they transition into whatever comes next, continuing the age-old game of musical chairs that is often politics.
