Dutch PM to carefully consider jobs for Royal Family members after Laurentien unrest
The Dutch Cabinet wants to closely consider exactly what work close relatives of King Willem-Alexander will be able to do in the future. This involves Royal Family members who do not receive allowances from the government, like the King’s brother Prince Constantijn, and his wife Laurentien. There was a public commotion about Laurentien’s work for victims of the childcare allowance scandal over the summer.
“It is very important to think about secondary functions, also for future generations,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, NOS reports. He pointed out that, in the future, this will also impact princesses Alexia and Ariane.
The members of the Royal Family who are not entitled to allowances must earn their own income, but they fall party under ministerial responsibility. They aren’t allowed to say or do everything in public and must submit their activities in advance to the responsible Minister. But their exact limitations aren’t laid down anywhere.
During the debate, it was coalition parties VVD and NSC that raised this issue. Without naming names, VVD parliamentarian Thierry Aartsen said that there had been “discomfort” about the situation recently and warned that members of the Royal Family “should not become part of a political discussion.”
NSC parliamentarian Jesse Six Dijkstra mentioned Princess Laurentien and Queen Maxima, who annoyed the Ministry of Finance by speaking about the digital euro. Princess Laurentien faced criticism for how she campaigned for an alternative handling of the childcare allowance scandal through her foundation (Gelijk)waardig Herstel. She openly criticized the Ministry of Finance and there were reports about inappropriate behavior on her part. She resigned as a result of the unrest. Six Dijkstra: “There is discomfort in society and we must prevent that in the future.”
The VVD proposed setting up a “committee of wise men” to look at the “tasks responsibilities, size, and composition” of the jobs Royal Family members take on. The NSC suggested an “external” advisory committee.
Schoof said he needs time to think about the topic, but he already acknowledged that something must be done to prevent Ministers and Royal Family members from standing in opposition to each other in the future and the “inherent tension” that can arise. “I recognize the importance,” he said, calling it a complex matter.
The debate also touched on the King’s income and the fact that he does not pay taxes. The PVV wanted to scrap an increase of 78,000 euros to the King’s income next year but did not get majority support. Parliamentarians also expressed their dissatisfaction that the Cabinet does not intend to have the King pay income tax, as a large majority in parliament has been demanding for some time.
