PVV MP shows photographers “cabinet document” ahead of talks

 

PVV MP shows photographers “cabinet document” ahead of talks

May 6, 2024

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/05/pvv-mp-shows-photographers-cabinet-document-ahead-of-talks/

Gidi Markuszower heads for the talks on Monday. Photo: Dirk Hol ANP

 

One of the far-right negotiators currently involved in crunch talks on forming a new government has been photographed with a document under his arm, which appears to show some of the main points that have been agreed on.

 

Gidi Markuszower was smiling as he stopped for photographers outside the area where the talks are taking place on Monday morning. The document, headed “building blocks for breakthrough” is dated May 2.

 

The A4 page lists 37 points and states that the four parties – the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB – will back a cabinet that gives “hope and something to hold on to” to everyone in the Netherlands.

 

It talks about tax cuts from 2025 and the “toughest entry regime for asylum seekers… ever.” It also mentions a positive future for farming and fishing, as well as food security.

 

The document also states that “not everything can be solved in one go” but that “Netherlands is waiting for a breakthrough”.

 

Commentators have raised doubts about the status of the document, and lack of concrete plans. It may also be an internal PVV document, given it is stamped across the front with the party’s initials.

 

Nevertheless, this is supposed to be the crunch week for the talks, with the two chief negotiators due to report back to parliament on May 15.

 

It is not the first time the press have been able to photograph documents relating to the formation process. In March 2021, Kajsa Ollongren was photographed hurrying home after a positive coronavirus test, while the notes in her hand were facing outwards.

 

They read: “Omtzigt, functie elders” or “Omtzigt, function elsewhere”, giving rise to speculation that Pieter Omtzigt, then a CDA MP, would be offered a new role.

 

That incident caused a major political uproar, and Omtzigt eventually left the CDA. Given the lack of controversial statements in the new document, there is unlikely to be a similar impact this time, the NRC said.