Resigned Idsinga on criticism: this is no way to govern a country, Wilders remains silent

The resigned State Secretary Folkert Idsinga (Finance, NSC) has made his decision after being harshly criticized for his decision not to further disclose his personal financial interests. In a letter to the Tweede Kamer, he wrote that he was “affected” by “the manners and tone of the political debate”. Idsinga emphasized in a statement on Friday that he had followed all the rules. The former State Secretary is referring to the reports on his financial assets, such as 6 million euros in investments he owns under his personal holding company.

The largest coalition party PVV supported the request for more openness. "But it would be better to make those millions public," wrote Geert Wilders on X. "Doesn't seem like good governance to me and not substantively motivated," Wilders said further about Idsinga's refusal to share more information. Good governance is a core point of the NSC, and substantively motivated was often mentioned by the NSC as a condition for emergency asylum legislation.

Lijkt me geen goed bestuur en niet dragend gemotiveerd, dus maar beter openbaar maken die miljoenenbelangen NSC-Staatssecretaris @StasFB Idsinga! https://t.co/HD6TTiXUNM

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) October 29, 2024

The State Secretary finds it "indigestible" that the PVV supported the opposition parties' request to force Idsinga to be more transparent. According to him, Wilders forced him "at knife's length" with his tweet to be open, while he adhered to the procedures. "This was unnecessary, and I am drawing a line in the sand here: I will not go along with this."

"Affected"

According to the State Secretary, the request shows that a majority of the Tweede Kamer doubts his reliability. "I am affected by the political force field and the dynamics surrounding manners. I experience the way in which messages are spread via social media as very damaging to politics," he said. According to him, it also means that people from outside politics can be discouraged from getting involved in the political cause and the country. Idsinga used to be an entrepreneur.

The NSC member went on to say he would “soon” address the issue in a “personal capacity”. On Friday, he said it was mainly savings and foreign shares. Everything had been put on hold, he said. “I only have holdings in two Dutch multinationals, and they are under 25,000 euros,” he said he had checked this week.

No contact with Geert Wilders

Idsinga had had no contact with Wilders before his decision, for example, to talk about the situation, he said. He thinks that it is not his job as a Cabinet member to put pressure on an MP.

PVV leader Geert Wilders has not yet responded to the resignation of NSC State Secretary Folkert Idsinga (Finance). Idsinga resigned after the PVV, among others, demanded more transparency about his financial interests. Idsinga found the role of the PVV in this "indigestible". Wilders has not yet answered questions from the ANP or posted a message on X.

Other coalition partners have already responded to the departure of the State Secretary. VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz thinks it is a "pity" that it ended this way for Idsinga, and had hoped to be able to debate it "as adults". BBB leader Caroline van der Plas also thinks it is a "shame" that Idsinga is leaving. Without directly naming Wilders, she disapproved of the "personal attacks" on Idsinga.

Earlier, the SP, D66, and GroenLinks-PvdA had already asked for more clarity from Idsinga. The PVV also supported the request and helped them gain a majority, which put the State Secretary in even more trouble.

Idsinga does not know whether this is really the end of his political career or whether he could return to parliament if a seat becomes available.