The Dutch cabinet under Prime Minister Dick Schoof has avoided collapse following a marathon meeting with the leadership of the coalition parties.
After Nora Achahbar, State Secretary for Benefits and Customs, resigned early on November 15 over statements by her colleagues that she deemed racist, it had looked as though her party, the New Social Contract (NSC) Party, would withdraw altogether.
In the end, the crisis meeting with Schoof and all the coalition party presidents that concluded on the evening of November 15 led to a solution, ending the crisis for now.
In a press conference after her resignation, Achahbar spoke about what she called a high level of polarisation that made it impossible for her to remain in the cabinet.
She said “the tone and content of the debate” conflicted with her values and integrity, adding that she hoped her departure would be seen as a sign that things needed to change in government.
Many observers have said they believed that while this crisis may be over, next one was waiting to happen, with the NSC — the most left-leaning party in a more right-wing government — remaining uncomfortable within the coalition.
The party actively dislikes the rhetoric regarding integration, asylum and migration from some of its coalition partners.
It has been the most difficult to persuade to join the coalition, the least enthusiastic to govern and has a leadership crisis. To top this off, its voter support has crashed, with the latest polls giving it just a few seats after it had won 20 in the elections of November 2023.
On November 16, party president Pieter Omtzigt, who had been on a long sick leave after having struggled with extreme exhaustion, announced he would return to parliament in the next few days.
In early September he took a step back “for health reasons”, saying he wanted to work out of the limelight.
Now, he will return to a party that has lost two people in government positions in the past weeks.
The latest crisis came as the result of violence in Amsterdam following a football game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 7.
In that, groups of people reportedly of immigrant background targeted Jewish fans, prompting a strong reaction both in the Netherlands and abroad.
During internal government discussions, tempers had flared up on November 15, triggering the crisis.
Achahbar reportedly took offence to comments by Liberal finance minister Eelco Heinen.
Sources claimed Heinen had said anti-Semitism was deeply rooted in society and had likened it to a pimple that could not simply be squeezed.
His Liberal VVD party firmly denied he made any racist remarks.
Another controversial comment reportedly made during the discussions was that “anti-Semitism is in the DNA of Muslims or Moroccans”, although PM Schoof denied that any racist remarks were made.
According to him, Achahbar’s decision to quit was unexpected and he said he was “moved” by her departure.
“I asked her to stay but I have to respect her choice,” the PM added.
NSC group chair Nicolien van Vroonhoven said Achahbar had made “a personal consideration” and denied there was racism in the cabinet, although she did acknowledge there was a “crude etiquette” within the government.
PVV leader Geert Wilders said he was “very happy” that the government did not fall but refused to comment further on the crisis.
