NSC leader Omtzigt demanded public apology from prospective Prime Minister Plasterk

Prime Minister Ronald Plasterk’s public apology to Pieter Omtzigt in the newspaper on Friday morning was a demand from the NSC leader, sources from national politics told the Telegraaf. When PVV leader Geert Wilders proposed Plasterk as his Prime Minister candidate on Wednesday, Omtzigt set the condition that Plasterk publicly apologize for a spat between the two in February.

When Omtzigt abandoned the first round of formation talks in early February, he went to a hotel in The Hague to tell journalists about it. He said he was angry that Plasterk had sat on financial information regarding the government ministries and the cost of different policy initiatives. Plasterk later told parliament that Omtzigt had used the Plasterk’s car and driver to go speak to the journalists.

According to Telegraaf’s sources, Omtzigt demanded a public apology before he would support Plasterk’s candidacy to be the Netherlands' next Prime Minister. Plasterk complied with that demand on Friday, with a small item in the Telegraaf. “Sorry, Pieter!” Plasterk wrote, admitting that he made mistakes by discussing behind-the-scenes events in the first formation round with parliament. “I should not have done that.”

Aside from their clash earlier in the year, Omtzigt reportedly has ethical concerns regarding Plasterk, NRC reported. Plasterk was accused of claiming sole credit for a patent for a new cancer therapy, earning him millions. The treatment method was developed from research carried out in part by the Amsterdam University Medical Center, which has not seen a dime of the profits, the newspaper said in April. The academic hospital is investigating the matter.

It is not clear whether the item in the newspaper has cleared Plasterk’s path to becoming Prime Minister. The Telegraaf could not reach Omtzigt for a comment on Friday. The PVV, VVD, and BBB also haven’t responded. Sources told NOS that Omtzigt and Plasterk will meet today to discuss their relationship.

Several members of the outgoing Cabinet did mention the apology letter when heading into the weekly Council of Ministers meeting.

It was “interesting,” according to outgoing Finance Minister Steven van Weyenberg (D66). “I understand that you now have to put application letters in the Telegraaf. If that, guys, is the new administrative culture, then I don’t think we have made much progress.” Changing the administrative culture is a spearhead of Omtzigt and his party.

The entire course of events is “embarrassing,” said D66 leader and outgoing Climate Minister Rob Jetten. “Such an open begging letter/application for the premiership. If we are going to put together a Cabinet in this way, I am very curious about what that will mean for the dynamics of the coming period.”

Public Health State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (ChristenUnie) called it “quite a soap opera” way of starting a team. He wouldn’t do it that way himself and “wouldn’t advise it that way either.”

Outgoing Economic Affairs Minister Micky Adraainsens (VVD) called the apology “special.” Her party forms part of the new coalition. Other VVD Cabinet members also remained mostly neutral. Minister Liesje Schreinemacher of Foreign Trade, Asylum State Secretary Eric van der Burg, and Education Minister Mariëlle Paul all called it something between Plasterk and Omtzigt. Finance State Secretary Aukje de Vries said she did not want to “comment on it” because she “doesn’t think it will help.”