ANPYesilgöz and Wilders on the De Zwaluwenberg estate
NOS News•Wednesday, 5:56 PM•Adjusted Wednesday, 8:19 PM
The party leaders of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB are prepared to remain in the House of Representatives if a new cabinet is formed. Sources around the parties say that the four have agreed on this under the leadership of informant Putters. On that basis they will now continue talking.
This means that the leader of the largest party and the winner of the elections, Geert Wilders, will not become prime minister of a new cabinet. Wilders himself confirms the news, according to him there was insufficient support for him as prime minister among the other parties:
VVD leader Yesilgöz, who is currently the outgoing Minister of Justice, is also prepared to enter the House, as are Omtzigt (NSC) and Van der Plas (BBB).
The four parties therefore follow the definition that many experts use for an extra-parliamentary cabinet. Such a cabinet has a looser bond with the House of Representatives than a normal cabinet and no detailed coalition agreement. In many cases, the ministers and state secretaries come from outside politics, but can be members of a political party.
Omtzigt’s wish
An extra-parliamentary cabinet was a wish of NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt from the start. The other parties were initially much less enthusiastic about it. But in the debate after the previous phase, Yesilgöz already said that she was willing to negotiate such a form, provided that the NSC would also supply ministers.
Tomorrow, informant Putters will present his final report. It will also state what exactly the four parties understand by an extra-parliamentary cabinet. Yesterday Putters said that “a next step” can be taken in the cabinet formation.
Political reporter Xander van der Wulp
“It can also be positive for Wilders that he does not become Prime Minister. As faction leader in the House, he can continue to play his free role and be more critical. He does not have to act as Prime Minister on behalf of the four parties. As the only member of his party he cannot actually be missed in the faction full of inexperienced MPs.
The four will later determine who will become Prime Minister of this cabinet. In any case, Wilders will have a decisive vote in this. At first glance it does not seem to be an attractive position, with four party leaders in the Chamber who will also take the liberty to express criticism.”