Ronald Plasterk apologizes to NSC leader Omtzigt in open letter

Former formation talks leader and intended Prime Minister Ronald Plasterk apologized to NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt in an open letter in the Telegraaf. The two clashed earlier in the Cabinet formation process.

“Sorry, Pieter!” Plasterk wrote in the letter. The PvdA politician admitted that he made mistakes by discussing behind-the-scenes events in the first formation round with parliament. “I should not have done that.”

The relationship between the leaders of the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB has not always been good in recent months. In February, Omtzigt left the formation talks and then told journalists that he had had enough. Omtzigt used Plasterk’s official car to travel to a hotel in The Hague for a secret conversation with journalists, Plasterk revealed in a parliamentary debate. He regrets that revelation, he said in the Telegraaf. “It was unnecessary and misplaced.”

Plasterk said he previously also made apologies. “I have been asked a lot how I look back on the fact that I said in the debate about the first round of formation talks that the formation leader’s car had been used. I would like to state that I should not have done that. I personally apologized to Pieter Omtzigt afterward.”

On Thursday, NRC reported that Pieter Omtzigt’s doubts are why the PVV has not yet officially nominated Plasterk to be Prime Minister.

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.