Asylum Minister rejects working with former spokesperson for Amsterdam Mayor

Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber has refused to work with the former spokesperson for Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema. The spokesperson had been appointed to fill a vacancy on Faber’s team, but the minister raised objections at the last moment.

“The earlier decision to hire this interim spokesperson has been reversed,” the Ministry confirmed following a report by AD. The individual in question is an experienced spokesperson who has worked in interim roles across multiple ministries, including Education, Culture, and Science.

The spokesperson said she was informed last Friday that the minister no longer wished to proceed with their collaboration. She stated she had been "ready to start" on Monday, with her first meetings already scheduled. Two weeks ago, at her own initiative, she had a “compatibility meeting” with Faber, during which her previous role with Halsema was discussed. According to her, “there were no issues at all” at the time.

While the reasons for canceling the appointment remain unclear, several insiders speculate that it is tied to the spokesperson’s previous role working for Halsema. The Amsterdam mayor is considered a prominent political adversary of Faber’s party leader, Geert Wilders of the PVV. This tension resurfaced following recent unrest in Amsterdam a week and a half ago. On Wednesday, the spokesperson's earlier role in Amsterdam gained attention when AD reported on it.

“The cause lies entirely outside this interim spokesperson,” the Ministry stated. “We have no doubts about her professionalism or competence.”

The incident follows the early departure of another highly experienced interim spokesperson from Faber’s team a month ago. Additionally, another spokesperson has been on extended leave, compounding the challenges for Faber, who has faced significant media attention since taking office.