Dilan Yeşilgöz is the leader of a party that has sharp differences of opinion regarding participation in the new cabinet. At the VVD general meeting in Utrecht there was support for his position not to join a new cabinet, but there were also many questions about this decision and many participants found it completely incomprehensible.
They said that Yeşilgöz’s announcement that he would not appoint a minister to the cabinet before sitting at the table with his group friends last Friday was a “bombshell”. However, he wants to make possible a “center-right” cabinet with a tolerant structure.
Some members argued that ordinary VVD voters did not understand this strategy. Above all, he wants to see the formation of a cabinet that will do something about the high influx of refugees and people’s purchasing power and trust the VVD.
“Sign not only your name on the platform, but also capable ministers,” said one of those present. It was an often heard argument that parties like the PVV and NSC did not have this.
Many people said they felt like punching bags in recent days due to the angry reaction and cancellations from the country.
Their calls for full participation in the cabinet, not for tolerance, received great applause from the hall. “We are not a party that lost 10 seats, but we are the third party in the country. “I and many others fail to understand that the VVD does not want to rule, but only to tolerate.”
Yeşilgöz admitted that the statements he made last Friday “surprised many people.” In the near future, he wants to explain not only to members but also to VVD voters why supporting a cabinet only from the House of Representatives is the best choice.
According to him, voters made it clear last Wednesday that “things need to be different.” The VVD lost ten seats and so joining the cabinet is not an obvious choice. Yeşilgöz said, “But this does not mean that I will go.” “So far, we are the only party that has announced that it wants to negotiate. I see a great opportunity to enable a smaller influx. “We are fully behind the policy with our stronger position in the chamber.”
The fact that the VVD can produce good and experienced ministers is not a reason for it to join the cabinet. “If the winners of the election can agree on the content, they should appoint ministers. But on November 22 you can say that everything is the VVD’s fault and a day later the country will collapse without a VVD minister.”
Members acknowledge that it is ultimately up to the group led by Yeşilgöz to determine the strategy. Some also find it good that Yeşilgöz does not want to sit in the cabinet with PVV. They believe Wilders’ party is presenting unconstitutional and unfair proposals. They also don’t trust him when he says he has suspended many of his views.
Some, such as former chamber president Frans Weisglas in Utrecht, believe that the VVD should stay away from the PVV and not tolerate it. “Then you will be connected to a cabinet. Those who do not tolerate this maintain their freedom,” Weisglas said.
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
