New incident within the Coronac committee: FVD member Van Meijeren leaves

The parliamentary committee of inquiry that will investigate the government’s coronary policy has one member less. FVD MP Gideon van Meijeren, who was appointed by the Chamber as a committee member two weeks ago, leaves the research team. The committee had a difficult run -up with a lot of delays, but Van Meijer’s departure means, according to committee chairman Daan de Kort (VVD), nothing for the further course of the investigation.

Van Meijeren says he gets ‘not the room to ask critical questions’ to protagonists such as then Prime Minister Mark Rutte, scientist Jaap van Dissel and Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge, he said Tuesday In a video on x. Van Meijeren should also not see the relevant documents and in his eyes there is a cover.

Chairman De Kort says in a response to the ANP news agency that Van Meijerens claims are « the truth ». De Kort says « unpleasantly surprised by his choice. » That the FVD MP does not have access to the documentation, De Kort contradicts. He also says that the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to the committee’s research proposal.

‘Totalitarian Corona State’

FvD member Van Meijeren caused a stir during the Corona Pandemie by distributing conspiracy theories and unproven claims over vaccines. He also called for citizens to ignore the legal coronar rules. According to the Member of Parliament aimed the « tyrannical government » A « totalitarian corona state » with her corona policy. « Resistance against this is a duty, » says Van Meijeren.

Through the departure of Van Meijeren the committee In addition to chairman De Kort, only four members: Peter Smitskam (PVV), Anita Pijpelink (GroenLinks-PvdA), Sander van Waveren (NSC) and the BBB parliamentarian Mariska Rikkers, who joined Tuesday. She replaces groupmate Claudia van Zanten. It is intended that the committee will start the public witness hearings in 2026; The departure of Van Meijeren, according to chairman De Kort, does not change anything.

Messy run -up

The departure of Van Meijeren is a new incident in the already messy run -up to the committee’s witness hearings. Preparations began in the summer of 2022, but soon then chairman Khadija Arib (PvdA) left due to accusations of cross -border behavior in her previous position as Chamber President.

Not long after, there was internal friction about then committee members Wybren of Haga and FVD member Pepijn van Houwelingen. In April 2024, the Commission ultimately presented the official investigation plan, which focuses in particular on whether the government acted properly during the Coronapandemie. It is expected one of the longest surveys in parliamentary history (three years) and will cost 7.5 million euros.

Only PVV, VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA, NSC and BBB have a representative in the committee. Other parties do not have enough manpower.

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