VVD shuts down negotiations over distribution of vacant cabinet posts
The VVD party has shut down negotiations over the distribution of vacant cabinet posts following the fall of the previous government, according to BBB leader Caroline van der Plas, RTL reported. Speaking Sunday on the Dutch TV program WNL op Zondag, Van der Plas called VVD’s refusal to continue talks “irresponsible” and “poor governance.”
Van der Plas also held outgoing Prime Minister Schoof partly responsible for resolving the impasse. “I called him yesterday and told him that he also has a role to play in solving this,” she said.
The disagreement centers on the allocation of cabinet posts formerly held by the PVV, which became vacant after the cabinet collapsed. On Friday, the three remaining coalition parties—VVD, NSC, and BBB—failed to reach an agreement. Until a deal is made, the replacement scheme remains in effect, with VVD Justice Minister David van Weel temporarily handling the asylum portfolio. No further talks have been scheduled so far.
Van der Plas identified Mona Keijzer as the most suitable candidate to succeed outgoing asylum minister Marjolein Faber. “Mona Keijzer has already handled a major task in asylum and migration as Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning,” Van der Plas argued.
The NSC supports BBB in this stance. NSC Social Affairs Minister Eddy van Hijum spoke on WNL in favor of “political balance.” NSC party leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven recently stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the VVD “can best take a step back for a while.”
