BBB Senator quits party citing policy conflicts, remains in Senate as independent

Eric Kemperman, a senator and provincial representative for the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), has announced his departure from the party due to deep policy disagreements. He identified major points of contention, including "questions of war and peace, COVID-19 policy, curbs on civil liberties, nature and agriculture, and the housing crisis."

He will retain his seat in the Eerste Kamer, the upper house of the Dutch Parliament, and continue as an independent, as well as remain active in the Provincial Council of Gelderland. The split leaves BBB with 15 Senate seats—still the largest bloc, one ahead of GroenLinks-PvdA.

Kemperman, who joined the agrarian-focused party three years ago, informed party leadership and his Senate faction of his concerns in recent weeks. He said he no longer identifies with the party’s choices or political approach, citing fundamental issues that have gained prominence since he joined.

One of his strongest objections concerns the deal BBB struck with PVV, VVD, and NSC to freeze social housing rents—a move he argues puts social housing at risk. "Social housing has been used as political bargaining chips. I have a problem with that," he said, referring to the agreement’s expected consequences for housing associations.

Kemperman stated that he had repeatedly raised his concerns internally. “I have brought up my views on these issues with the board and my Senate faction leader,” he said. But after seeing "no adequate response," he decided to leave the party and continue independently. “In recent weeks, I concluded that I increasingly no longer recognize myself in the substantive choices and working methods of BBB.”

The party confirmed the resignation in a short statement on its website Monday evening, expressing regret over Kemperman’s departure but stating that his responsibilities would be taken over by the Senate and provincial party groups.

Despite the split, Kemperman stressed his commitment to politics. “I still have a lot to contribute. After a life as an entrepreneur, I made choices. I sold my company in order to invest time and energy into politics.” He added that he hopes to continue working constructively with BBB and other parties in both chambers.

Kemperman’s decision allegedly came as a complete surprise to the party’s leadership. Ilona Lagas, the BBB Senate group leader, told reporters she had "no idea" the move was coming. "This was a complete surprise. The BBB is still waiting for an explanation," she said.

Rik Loeters, leader of the BBB faction in Gelderland, said he was also caught off guard. "He was the most critical voice when it came to compromises, but in a coalition you have to work together,” he said after Kemperman informed colleagues of his departure.

Kemperman was previously involved in controversy in 2024, when it was revealed he had submitted dozens of parliamentary questions about proposed rent controls that had been prepared with the help of lawyers from Vastgoed Belang, a lobbying organization for private landlords. At the time, then-Housing Minister Hugo de Jonge called the situation “concerning,” warning that members of parliament must represent voters, not “act as a go-between for the lobby of an interest group for real estate entrepreneurs.”