PVV tries to stop new Justice Minister's appointment

PVV leader Geert Wilders wants to stop the appointment of Ferdinand Grapperhaus (CDA) as Minister of Justice of Security. According to Wilders, posts on Grapperhaus' personal blog show that he is "more a danger to national security than a minister of Justice", he said to ANP.

Wilders is referring to a blog post in which Grapperhaus wrote that "you should not revoke jihadists' citizenship. On the contrary, you must let them come back." He goes on to say that jihadists must return to the Netherlands so that they can be held accountable, according to the Telegraaf.

As the Rutte III cabinet will be presented on Thursday, Wilders wants to debate the matter in the Tweede Kamer on Wednesday evening, followed by an immediate vote on Grapperhaus' appointment.

That such a debate will actually take place, is doubtful. A parliamentary majority is needed for a debate to be arranged. The four parties in the Rutte III government has a one seat majority in the Tweede Kamer, and it seems highly unlikely that they will support Wilders' request.

Wilders also said that previous statement Grapperhaus made about him has nothing to do with why Wilders wants to prevent his appointment. According to Wilders, this is only about Grapperhaus opinion that jihadists should not lose their Dutch nationality.

On Monday Grapperhaus said that the previous statements he made as a private person have a different role than than the one he will fill as Minister, according to the Telegraaf. He also said that everyone can know his personal opinions.