GroenLinks-PvdA’s Timmermans eyes premiership if left forms government
Frans Timmermans, GroenLinks-PvdA faction leader, said he prefers to become prime minister if his party joins a coalition after the elections.
"That is my preference. I have already been a minister," he told De Telegraaf. If he cannot become prime minister, Timmermans said he would remain in the Tweede Kamer as faction leader and continue as opposition leader.
He added that his goal in a future government is to lay "the foundation to get this country moving again" within eleven months.
On asylum and migration, he said, "The only way to really limit inflow in Europe is at the external borders. In addition, measures must be taken to get the reception crisis in the Netherlands under control."
Timmermans also confirmed that GroenLinks-PvdA plans to raise Dutch defense spending to at least 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, joining other parties in meeting NATO guidelines. During the first major campaign debate on Radio 1, he faced criticism for only securing funding through 2030. “What remains to be financed is up to the Cabinet-Timmermans II,” he said.
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz said she was alarmed that “some parties are falling short of NATO standards.” CDA leader Henri Bontenbal criticized Timmermans, saying, “With issues like climate policy, the Netherlands does not wait to see if other countries take enough action.”
Bontenbal added that it is “not fair” that other parties have already secured funding to fully meet NATO standards while GroenLinks-PvdA has not. “If you want to reach 3.5 percent, you have to put it in your books and be willing to take that pain,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dutch election debate hosted by RTL is scheduled for Sunday evening at 21:30 (9:30 PM). The PVV is still invited, but party leader Geert Wilders has declined to participate. If Wilders does not attend, the next party in the October 2 poll, D66, will be invited instead. RTL emphasized that the debate will proceed with four party leaders to give voters a clear overview ahead of the October 29 elections.
