Dutch Prime Minister’s Future Uncertain After Censure Over Scandal

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy Mews

(Worthy News) – The political future of Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte, one of the European Union’s longest-serving leaders, was uncertain on Good Friday after Parliament censured him for allegedly lying and undermining public trust.

His troubles began last week when preliminary negotiations to form a new coalition after elections halted when one of the two officials leading the talks tested positive for Covid-19.

While the infected official, Kajsa Ollongren, rushed to a limousine, she was photographed carrying notes laying out the meeting’s details.

Among the text was a line saying: “Position Omtzigt, function elsewhere.” Lawmaker Pieter Omtzigt of the Christian Democrat Appeal party has long been a thorn in the side of Rutte’s government.

He is known for his tough questions, even though the Christian Democrats also were in his last coalition. Omtzigt played a crucial role in uncovering child benefits that forced the entire Cabinet to step down in January.

The legislator discovered that tens of thousands of parents were wrongly accused of child welfare fraud. Many people targeted by the Dutch tax authorities had immigrant backgrounds.

They were told to pay back child benefits on false fraud charges, plunging families into deep debt. Desperation led to divorces, illness, and even suicide, according to investigators. Critics say Rutte would prefer to see the influential and critical Omtzigt leave Parliament.

However, after the note was photographed, Rutte told the media had not discussed Omtzigt in coalition talks. But he did, according to notes made by civil servants that were published ahead of the debate that started Thursday.

Rutte said in the debate that he did not remember that part of the discussion and had answered reporters’ questions “in good conscience.” “I am not standing here lying. I am telling the truth,” Rutte said.

Legislators weren’t impressed with that explanation. They passed a politically damaging motion of censure against him that was filed by even two parties in his own outgoing coalition.

He narrowly survived a motion of no-confidence. Commentators viewed it as a stunning fall from grace just over two weeks after his conservative-liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) won the most seats in parliament in the election.

That put him in line to form his fourth governing coalition and possibly become the country’s longest-serving prime minister.

Even his potential coalition partner Sigrid Kaag, of the second-largest Democrats 66 (D66) party, said there was now “distance” between Rutte and her. Kaag, who seeks to become prime minister, said she would have resigned if faced with a similar situation.

Rutte said, however, he still believes he can continue. But he also said he would reflect on the political realities over Easter.

Rutte apologized to Omtzigt, the politician who may make or break his future. “Where trust has been violated … I will work hard to restore it,” Rutte said. Omtzigt was not present for the debate saying he is taking time off due to exhaustion.

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