After resignation of NSC member, Schoof claims there is no racism in the Cabinet
An early end to the Cabinet has been averted for the time being. NSC State Secretary Nora Achahbar is stepping down, but the other NSC ministers are not following her, insiders report. The crisis that Achahbar's announcement unleashed on Friday has been averted after a day of feverish deliberation at the Catshuis.
Shortly after the news leaked late Friday night, it emerged that the final decision would take a little longer after all. According to reports from The Hague, the NSC party members needed a little more time to reach a complete agreement.
Nora Achahbar, State Secretary for Benefits and Customs, has asked to resign on Friday, she announced in a letter to the Tweede Kamer, which she has already posted on her Instagram account.
Achahbar could not live with the statements about migrants and Muslims made by Cabinet members, sources made clear on Friday. Both statements made in public and behind closed doors hurt her. "The polarizing manners of the past few weeks have had such an impact on me that I can no longer effectively fulfill my position as State Secretary of this Cabinet," said the outgoing NSC minister.
The State Secretary for Benefits and Customs continued saying that "Polarization in society is dangerous because it undermines the mutual bond between people," Achahbar wrote in a concise letter to the lower house of Dutch parliament. "As a result, we start to see each other as opponents instead of as fellow human beings. Polarization creates a divide that disrupts mutual understanding and respect and makes peaceful coexistence increasingly difficult. When we can no longer hear or understand each other, we become entangled in hostility. In this way, we can no longer work on common goals."
Achahbar, who is of Moroccan descent, could no longer tolerate the discriminatory tone of her fellow ministers towards people with an Islamic or immigrant background. Racist remarks on Monday about those responsible for the violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week were the last straw. When NSC colleagues in the Cabinet appeared to share Achahbar's discontent and considered following her example, it shook the Cabinet on Friday.
According to insiders, Achahbar and fellow NSC members were particularly offended by statements made by Finance Minister Eelco Heinen (VVD) and Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber (PVV). After the violence in Amsterdam, Heinen is said to have spoken of "pus" and, according to critics, seemed to refer this to the migrant or Islamic community. According to supporters of Heinen, this was not the case. Faber is said to have stated that anti-Semitism is "in the genes" of Muslims. Her party leader Geert Wilders said in parliament on Wednesday that the "Muslims" behind the attacks on supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv "have hatred of Jews in their DNA".
However, Prime Minister Dick Schoof claimed on Friday evening that there is and was no racism in the Cabinet and the coalition factions in the Tweede Kamer. Achahbar's departure would affect Schoof and the other Cabinet members, the Dutch prime minister said after a day of consultation in a crisis mood between the Cabinet and coalition.
"As a Cabinet, we have ultimately expressed our confidence in continuing together," Schoof said Friday evening just before midnight. The outcome of today's discussions is that this Cabinet wants to be a Cabinet for all Dutch people and wants to remain one." The ministers and the leaders of the four government parties have "spoken long and well with each other" and "have every confidence that there was and is no racism in the factions and the Cabinet."
Schoof did not want to comment on the controversial statements, because they were said to have been made in the Council of Ministers. What is discussed there remains secret for at least 20 years.
The NSC had not asked the Cabinet to reaffirm the declaration on the rule of law, Schoof said. Pieter Omtzigt's party had requested this when forming the Cabinet to ensure that the democratic rules of the game were respected. "That is not necessary," said Schoof. "That goes without saying." That wish was therefore "not on the table" during the crisis meeting.
It was the third time in three months that the Cabinet has been brought to the brink of collapse, though this most recent incident seemed to be the closest to the coalition falling apart.
Although Nicolien van Vroonhoven, temporary party leader of NSC, took some time for the press on Friday, she did not want to explain the difference between Achahbar and the rest of the NSC squadron in the cabinet. "You will have to ask Mrs Achahbar about that yourself." The other party leaders were curt and only answered a few questions. "You will have to ask her what she has experienced herself and why she is doing this," said Dilan Yeşilgöz when asked about the departure of the State Secretary. Caroline van der Plas (BBB): "You will have to ask Nora about that."
Geert Wilders, leader of the largest government party PVV, barely took a minute to justify himself to the press after the crisis day. "I'm not going to tell you what we talked about," he said. "I'm glad the Cabinet is continuing."
Achahbar was only able to make a statement after Schoof and did not answer any questions. In a short statement at the Ministry of Finance, the outgoing minister said that how the debate on anti-Semitism and integration was conducted is "in conflict" with her values. "By taking this step, I am drawing a line for myself as a person. I hope that this is a moment in which I make it clear that things have to change."