Centrist campaign founder condemns leak that toppled D66 informateur

Willem Sijthoff, media entrepreneur and founder of the centrist campaign “Vote for Stability,” publicly condemned the leak of a private WhatsApp message from D66 politician Hans Wijers that allegedly contributed to Wijers’ resignation as informateur.

Sijthoff said on LinkedIn that the leak occurred without his knowledge. “This has caused serious harm to multiple people involved, and I deeply regret that. I expressly distance myself from any leak. I stand for decent and respectful politics,” he wrote.

The private message reportedly targeted D66 colleague Dilan Yeşilgöz and suggested political maneuvering around Timmermans. It read, “We should specifically open the door to Timmermans, then I will join. We need to pull him toward the center and also that shrew from the VVD.”

Smit later clarified that he likely made the critical election-night comments about the VVD, not Wijers, saying newspapers had misattributed the remarks. Smit added that his criticism reflected disappointment with the VVD’s narrow loss and concern over a potential Cabinet including radical right-wing JA21.

CDA informateur Sybrand Buma will continue the coalition formation process alone. D66 leader Robbert D. Bruins (Jetten) said the party would not appoint a new informateur to avoid losing time.