The former coalition also argues: VVD and BBB both want the Ministry of Asylum and Migration
The week that started unanimously for VVD, NSC and BBB, about the ten-point plan of PVV leader Wilders where they did not want to put their signature underneath, ends with a fight between the three remaining government parties. VVD and BBB both want to take care of the Ministry of Asylum and Migration, which has been released now all PVV ministers the cabinet have left. NSC wanted the migration section, but would have given up that idea now.
Under the leadership of outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz, Nicolien van Vroonhoven of NSC and Caroline van der Plas of BBB have already had a long-term consultation about it three times, together with their three Deputy Primeumers: once on Thursday, twice on Friday.
That ended on Friday evening without an outcome and in a quarrel -like atmosphere, and with the message from Schoof, who made an irritated impression, that they should then adhere to the fixed replacement scheme as it applies in the event of illness or the loss of ministers. In that case, asylum and migration falls under VVD member David van Weel, outgoing Minister of Justice.
Campaign theme
Those involved assume that in particular the VVD in the election campaign would really like to prove that their party can tackle asylum and migration energetically, in contrast to PVV member Marjolein Faber, who was abandoned on Tuesday. But BBB member Mona Keijzer also wants asylum. According to BBB, that fits with the rest of her portfolio: as Minister of Housing, she is also about temporary housing for status holders.
BBB would also like to make an election theme from Asylum. If it actually becomes a big theme, it is expected that it is expected to turn out favorably for the PVV: voters mainly associate that party with a strict asylum policy.
NSC party chairman Van Vroonhoven chose the side of BBB on Saturday afternoon. She wrote: « Great confidence that BBB can get the two – also for us – important asylum laws through the Chamber. In addition, if you look at the balance of power in this outgoing government, VVD could only make it in place here. »
Thorough
According to the fixed replacement scheme, outgoing finance Minister Eelco Heinen of the VVD also receives economic affairs. Public health then falls under NSC member Eddy van Hijum who is already doing social affairs, Infrastructure and Water Management would be taken over by VVD member Sophie Hermans who is already climate, and foreign trade by Caspar Veldkamp of NSC, Foreign Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Whether there will be talk will be discussed next week is unclear. Schoof does not seem to be going, the VVD does not, BBB wants that.
The mutual hassle, again, seems to promise little good for the intention of the three former coalition parties to use every five months until the elections in October to do as much as possible for the country. It is what mainly outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof wants to: save what can still be saved from a cabinet and a coalition in the Lower House in which one conflict was alternated by the other, and a cabinet crisis was exchanged at the last minute every time – until last Tuesday morning.
In the press conference on Friday, Schoof said that he had « really liked » that his cabinet could have been longer.