Mostly respect for Kaag's resignation as Foreign Minister
Many political parties in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, expressed respect for Sigrid Kaag's decision to step down as Minister of Foreign Affairs due to the chaotic evacuation operation in Afghanistan. But there was also some criticism that as leader of the D66 - the second largest party after the parliamentary elections in March - she'd likely be back as Deputy Prime Minister once a cabinet is finally formed.
Prime Minister and VVD leader Mark Rutte called Kaag's resignation "terrible" on Thursday evening, the Telegraaf reports. He said he had asked her to stay on as Minister. "I can only take note of it with respect," he said. "This is a great loss for the Netherlands."
"Sigrid Kaag takes her responsibility for the Dutch actions in Afghanistan with her head held high. Much appreciation for this pure choice," GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver said on Twitter.
PvdA leader Lilianne Ploumen tweeted a similar sentiment, thanking Kaag "for her commitment to the Netherlands and the world."
Kaag's D66 colleague Rob Jetten called her resignation a "brave decision" and is happy that she will remain D66 party leader.
PVV leader Geert Wilders, on the other hand, was much more critical. He called for new parliamentary elections. "Despite #hexit, she is still a parliamentarian and D66 party leader and will be negotiating with Rutte and Hoekstra this weekend, so with a bit of bad luck she will be Deputy Prime Minister before Christmas and nothing will change because the cowardly elite does not dare to hold new elections," he tweeted.
Kaag announced her resignation immediately after a majority in the Tweede Kamer passed a motion of censure against her over her role in the Afghanistan evacuations. Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld was also censured for the same reason, but she decided to stay on.
