Politicians react to Justice Ministry resignations

Parliamentarians in the Tweede Kamer (lower house of parliament) understand Minister Ivo Opstelten and State Secretary Fred Teeven's (Security and Justice) decision to resign. The two handed in their resignations because of discrepancies in details given to the Tweede Kamer regarding a 4.7 million guilder payout to drug criminal Cees H. that Teeven approved during his time as prosecutor in 2001. VVD party leader Halbe Zijlstra regrets the departure but calls their decision understandable. He also stated that he respects Teeven's decision to resign in solidarity with Opstelten, NOS reports. "With the departure of Opstelten and Teeven the Cabinet loses an able Minister and Secretary of State, who in the past years have contributed greatly to a safer Netherlands with their policies." PvdA leader Diederik Samsom called the decision "radical". "And an understandable decision based on the facts that have emerged. We respect the decision of Opstelten and Teeven and thank them for their commitment to the public good." Deputy Prime Miniser Lodewijk Asscher stated on Twitter that the "Cabinet is losing 2 hardworking, loyal colleagues".

Kabinet verliest 2 hardwerkende, loyale collega's. Respect voor besluit Opstelten en Teeven

— Lodewijk Asscher (@LodewijkA) March 9, 2015

D66 leader Alexander Pechtold called the resignations "understandable and inevitable" on Twitter. "Respect for that, but the questions about the deal should not go unanswered. Debate at the very least!"

Aftreden begrijpelijk en onvermijdbaar. Respect daarvoor, maar de vragen over de deal mogen niet onbeantwoord blijven. Debat op z'n minst!

— Alexander Pechtold (@APechtold) March 9, 2015

SP leader Emile Roemer agrees that the questions need to be answered. "For me the debate continues tomorrow, but with the prime minister." he said on Twitter. He also said that Opstelten and Teeven had no other option.

Opstelten en Teeven hadden geen andere optie meer. Het debat van morgen gaat wat mij betreft door, maar dan met de premier

— Emile Roemer (@emileroemer) March 9, 2015

ChristenUnie leader Arie Slob thinks that the resignations were "unavoidable" and a "personal drama". He also thinks that Opstelten and Teeven should first have offered explanations in the Tweede Kamer. According to Slob the resignations does not mean that the debate should not be held.

Aftreden minister Opstelten/stas Teeven onvermijdelijk geworden en persoonlijk drama. Hadden wel eerst verantwoording in TK moeten afleggen.

— Arie Slob (@arieslob) March 9, 2015

Vertrek bewindspersonen betekent niet dat debat niet gevoerd hoeft te worden. Er zijn veel vragen aan kabinet te stellen. Nu maar met MP.

— Arie Slob (@arieslob) March 9, 2015