Last parliamentary debate held before elections

Around 11:00 p.m. on Thursday the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, finished its last debate before the parliamentary election on March 15th. For many parliamentarians who are not on their party's new list of candidates, this was their last time speaking in the Kamer. The next debate will be held with new parliamentarians, the Telegraaf reports.

Kamer president Khadija Arib expansively thanked all parliamentarians and wished everyone luck for the election campaigns. She called it a "special and sad" night. "It does not matter how long someone has been in the Kamer. Saying goodbye to a beautiful environment like ours always hurts."

She also called on all parties to work together in harmony again after the election madness "as benefits a parliamentary democracy".

The last parliamentary meeting for this parliament was a long one, with many plans voted on and approved. These included an obligation for farmers to let their cows graze outside and a proposal for financing for herds of sheep that are herded by a shepherd with dogs, according to RTL. To everyone's surprise there was also a censure motion for the Rutte II cabinet. This was filed by former PvdA MP Jacques Monasch and had to do with the debate around foreign rebel fighters in the Syrian Civil War. The motion got no support.

On March 22nd, a week after the election, there will be an official farewell for all departing parliamentarians. The new parliament will be sworn in the following day.