The government continues to support legislation aimed at improving the distribution of refugees across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Kaag said this after the first Cabinet meeting following the excitement over the law this week. At the meeting, Minister Yeşilgöz, who is also the Chairman of the VVD Parliamentary Group, had to explain the course of events.
The House of Representatives, led by Yeşilgöz, said yesterday that the distribution law should not be enacted for now. An earlier version of the motion on this issue was formulated as an appeal to the Cabinet and Senate, but after widespread criticism the text was limited to a request to back down without consulting the Cabinet and Senate. in the name.
Most of the criticism focused on Yeşilgöz’s dual roles in this debate: Minister (the department that makes the law) and member of parliament.
“The combination is sometimes complicated”
Yeşilgöz reiterated today that VVD has been against the law for some time and that he is satisfied with the approved proposal. After the cabinet meeting, he acknowledged that “sometimes it can be complicated” for one person to participate in parliamentary debate on elections as both a party leader and a minister. “But we combined these two roles in our system.”
Kaag believes it is important for the Senate to approve the distribution bill (the House of Representatives did so in October): “This is about proportionality and fair distribution, and it is not always the same municipalities that bear the responsibility.”
Saying that the restriction was appropriate, especially in an interim period when relations were changing, he called on the negotiating parties in the formation to hurry up: “Personally, I hope that a new cabinet that can take responsibility will be formed in February. “Situation” from a missionary. .”
His D66 colleague Jetten (also a minister and party leader) told the Cabinet that former coalition parties would do well not to further complicate the lives of outgoing ministers. He mentioned the “greeneye trick”.
“It is quite difficult to understand”
Before the meeting started, ministers from other government parties also criticized Yeşilgöz’s actions. CDA Deputy Prime Minister Van Gennip described the events of the last 48 hours as “quite difficult for the Dutch to follow.” According to them, this affects the reputation of politics and creates confusion about roles and responsibilities. He noted the importance of a united cabinet policy.
Christian Unity Minister Adema also said he was “surprised” by the turn of events. He pointed out that Minister of Foreign Affairs Van der Burg was busy working on the distribution bill. In addition to his ministerial duties, Van der Burg, like Yeşilgöz, has also been serving as a deputy of the VVD since last week. By the way, he was not at the cabinet meeting today.
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.
