He warns that the party “shouldn’t fly too fast too fast.” The writers of the letter insist that the plans are actually being carried out and that it does not end with nice words.
First signatory and Member of Parliament Nicki Pouw-Verweij declined to talk about an urgent letter or a conflict ahead of the members’ meeting and spoke of “constructive proposals”. Among other things, the signatories want all members to be able to apply for positions on the board. At the moment, this can only be done on the recommendation of the board itself. Furthermore, they want an end to double functions and for there to be a party council that determines political orientation.
True decision-making power
Despite the council’s positive words about the proposals, Pouw-Verweij is not entirely confident that the plans will be implemented. “Efforts over the past year have yielded no results,” he says. That’s why he also wants a hard deadline to be agreed. He also thinks the council calls for a party council that engages in “a simple exchange of ideas”, while she wants “real decision-making power”.
Derk MP Jan Eppink also signed the letter and speaks of “catching up on the delay that we have to catch up because we could have new elections this year. Otherwise we will become a small club with big aspirations that we cannot fulfill”.
Nannina
Annabel Nanninga is party leader in the Senate and president of the Amsterdam city council. She to critical questions from members about dual function, she talks about an “emergency measure” and she also says that she should stay that way for a while. Experience is scarce at a getaway party, which sometimes makes double duties inevitable, she says. She also believes that familiar faces, such as her and Eerdmans’ resins on posters, should be put to good use.
While members who spoke were unanimous in supporting the plans, some expressed displeasure at the tone and the fact that the letter had been made public. “It really hurt us,” says North Holland MP Daniël van den Berg, referring to the coalition negotiations there.