VVD and JA21 are piqued about the remarks made by newly appointed informateur Hans Wijers about them. Party leaders Dilan Yesilgöz and Joost Eerdmans want to know whether he can still operate objectively now that he has labeled Yesilgöz a “liar” and disparaged the center-right. D66 and CDA are, for now, sticking with Wijers.
De Telegraaf revealed Thursday that Wijers made strong comments on election night about the VVD and a possible center-right cooperation. He reportedly called Yesilgöz a “liar” and spoke with disdain, according to those present, about the option of forming a cabinet with D66, VVD, CDA, and JA21.
“I did not express myself well there; I should not have used those words,” Wijers said in his first press moment as informateur. “I have no idea in what context I said that. I should not have done it. Period. It’s inappropriate language, and I have contacted Ms. Yesilgöz about it.” Wijers says he has not spoken to her directly: “But I assume that when we do speak at some point, the matter will be resolved,” he said.
The comments from Wijers raise the question for VVD and JA21 whether Wijers can still carry out his role as informateur without bias. JA21 leader Eerdmans calls the remarks “highly remarkable”: “The objectivity of the whole process is damaged; it colors the outcome as well. I am curious how D66 thinks it can repair this.”
Yesilgöz also wants to hear from D66 and CDA—who will take the lead in the formation in the coming weeks—how the process can be put back on track under Wijers: “I would like to hear from the parties involved how, under the leadership of these informateurs, we can still arrive at an open and positive process.”
PVV leader Geert Wilders believes that Wijers should give up the job: “He has become totally unreliable for the role of informateur and should have stepped down.”
D66 and CDA stand by Wijers
D66 and CDA themselves continue to stand by Wijers, who, together with former CDA leader Sybrand Buma, has already accepted the task. Both parties are satisfied with the response Wijers gave to NRC, in which he says he “did not express himself well.”
“For the CDA, that is sufficient for us to quickly get to work with D66 on a substantive agenda for the Netherlands,” says CDA leader Bontenbal.