Segers then served as a member of parliament for ten years, seven of them as party leader and political leader. Twice he managed to force participation in government, both times as a smaller party in a coalition with VVD, D66 and CDA. The party is proud of the achievements under his leadership, especially in the fields of climate and social security.
In a letter to party members, Segers writes that the Kamerwerk has asked a lot of him and his family. “Politics in The Hague is a greedy profession.” It’s one of the reasons to quit now. “We’ve always hugged each other over these ten years, but it’s also good for us as a family to end this and have more time for each other again.”
According to the political journalist Leendert Beekman, the tightening of the parliamentary debate also plays a role in the choice of Segers. “Political business is obviously tough business, so it’s hard work and long hours,” says Beekman. ‘So he doesn’t see his family very often, and you also have to deal with constantly negative social media. Constantly being scolded, being criticized, getting little appreciation for your work. Segers might not say he does it for that, but he doesn’t make being in the world of politics any more fun.
Additionally, Segers finds it “just beneficial” to make room for someone else at any given time. He says he only ran in the previous election “because I knew there was a capable and motivated successor on the list who could take my place”.
Solid, reliable and responsible
With the departure of Gert-Jan Segers, The Hague is losing “an anchor,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote on Twitter in response to Segers’ departure. In his response, Rutte describes Segers as “solid, reliable and responsible.” According to Rutte, he led his party that way and that’s how he is as a person. “I look back fondly on our long partnership and wish her successor Mirjam Bikker all the best.”
With the departure of @gertjansegers The Hague loses an anchor. Solid, reliable and responsible. That’s how he led his party and that’s how he is as a person. I look back fondly on our long partnership and wish you his successor @mirjambikker I wish you the best.
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) January 13, 2023
Miriam Baker
In addition to the party chairman, Bikker will also be the new political leader of the ChristenUnie. The seat Segers leaves behind goes to Nico Drost. Previously he replaced Stieneke van der Graaf during her maternity leave. Eppo Bruins, who was actually above Drost on the electoral roll, decided not to take his seat in the Chamber.
The new party leader is “incredibly grateful” to her predecessor for the cooperation. “It is a privilege to work with him and he will be missed.” According to Beekman, Bikker’s ChristenUnie also has a solid successor to Segers. “It’s a small, tight-knit club, and there are only experienced people in the group,” she says.
Bikker became known to the general public during the corona period, because she sits on a committee in which the pandemic was discussed a lot. “She has been in a lot of corona debates,” Beekman continues. «She Meanwhile she is an experienced parliamentarian. After all, the faction is small, so they have to attend many meetings due to a multitude of files and wallets. Bikker knows the blows of the political whip.’
Party chair Ankie van Tatenhove says he will miss Segers’ “drive, engagement and individuality”. “At the same time I am delighted that we have a ready successor in Mirjam who is skilled, he knows what he stands for and is committed to what he believes in.”
Friendship
“It was an extraordinary privilege to work closely with him in the House, during formations and during cabinet periods”, replies Deputy Prime Minister Carola Schouten at Segers’ farewell. “After your departure from The Hague, a dear friendship remains. I wish him much inspiration for what is happening to him now.’
She is happy with Mirjam Bikker as Segers’ successor, she tells political journalist Leendert Beekman. She’s familiar with The Hague and has a deep drive for herself to lead the party. But also to work with themes represented by ChristenUnie. She is a solid woman. She is calm and thinks through arguments well, but she also has fire in the debate.’