What lies ahead for the Netherlands now a coalition agreement has been reached?
Now that a negotiation agreement has been reached, the first right-wing Dutch cabinet is set to become a reality. What are the four parties planning to do, and who will become the next Dutch Prime Minister? All these issues and more were reviewed in a recent Op1 broadcast. Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional Law, was a guest on the show.
Three of the parties have given their agreement, which just leaves the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) party. According to Op1, a potential explanation for this is the withdrawal of the Dutch Dispersal Act in light of Erik van der Burg's position. Professor Voermans says that another likely factor is that an asylum crisis is to be declared, as has been leaked. If it happens, this situation would involve ‘major legal risks’. Voermans emphasises that as the circumstances are not exceptional, it should be classified as an ‘accommodation crisis’ rather than an asylum crisis.
Rumours have been buzzing around in the political arena in The Hague that the Labour Party (PvdA) politician Ronald Plasterk could become the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands. A Prime Minister that nobody voted for and ‘doesn’t have a direct democratic mandate,’ Voermans argues. Plasterk is currently undergoing an integrity screening process relating to a patent issue within his company – a company that has made him millions. Journalist Bas Haan tells Op1 that he wonders ‘to what extent this will be factored into the role of the next Prime Minister.’
Voermans welcomes the clear agreements on the rule of law that form part of the coalition agreement and leave fundamental rights unaffected. He trusts that the four parties are very aware of this.
Learn more on the other topics that were discussed
Watch the full Op1 broadcast (in Dutch)
Photo: krakenimages through Unsplash