Weekers resignation understandable, say MPs

Yesterday's decision by State Secretary of Finance, Frans Weekers (PvdA) was well-received by other Members of Parliament, who understand the decision. Frans Weekers admitted in a debate at the House of Representatives yesterday, that he felt he did not carry enough clout to continue in his role, and decided to offer his resignation to the King. Frans Weekers/ Rijksoverheid This came after he was asked to justify problems with benefits payout at the Tax and Customs Administration. Prime Minister Mark Rutte communicated via a speaker to the press office Novum that he respects the decision, "and thanks him for his great commitment in the last few years." The verdict at the House of Representatives was also one of understanding. Staying on was becoming impossible. The president of the Christian Union, Arie Slob, calls the move "unavoidable." "His basis to function at the House of Representatives was so small, that he could no longer act with authority." The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) president Sybrand van Haersma Buma explained to the NOS that through the course of the debate, it seemed as though Weekers "barely knew himself how a solution would be found" for the allowance issue. "Then the debate changed, and the opinion became: it can't go on like this. It's good that the State Secretary also assessed it that way." Van Haersema Buma said. Democrats 66 (D66) leader Alexander Pechtold also things that Weekers had no other choice. He says he is happy that the State Secretary honored himself. Socialist Party president Emile Roemer says that Weekers gave the impression that "he didn't have any idea what he was talking about." The Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders calls Weekers' decision "wise and brave" and "politically speaking the only right decision." GreenLeft president Bram van Oijk says that Weekers had "little choice" and calls the decision "chic."