FRIDAY, 14
JUNE 2024 - 20:41
PVV MP accused of bigotry and racism will still
be named Asylum & Immigration minister
Controversial
PVV politician Marjolein Faber will still be put forward as the intended
Minister of Asylum and Immigration, said Richard van Zwol, who is leading the
discussion between the four parties forming a new coalition government. Van
Zwol held crisis talks with the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB party leaders and the
expected prime minister, Dick Schoof. Opposition parties expressed their
disappointment about the decision on Friday evening.
Schoof
would not comment after the meeting, other than saying it was a "useful
conversation." The party leaders from the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB refused to
comment. From next Monday to Wednesday, Van Zwol will receive all candidate
ministers who have been officially nominated. Faber's name was missing from the
overview shared on Friday by the press office for the Cabinet formation, but
Van Zwol later said Faber will also be invited for an interview.
Faber was
under fire because of earlier statements she made during her 12-year political
career, and the manner in which she was appointed frustrated the VVD and NSC.
She advocated for the abolition of Islam when she was a member of the Senate
and a member of the Tweede Kamer. She also said migration was
"repopulation," a term which Prime Minister Mark Rutte said
originated from Nazism. She also once said Rutte's Cabinet was like a
"fifth pillar" meant to undermine the Dutch State.
Additionally,
she once alleged that a stabbing suspect looked "North African,"
despite witness statements to the contrary. A white Dutch person was eventually
arrested, but Faber refused to retract her statement. She also hired her son's
business to create the PVV Gelderland website and the PVV Senate website, and
paid him using the party's money.
The
emergency meeting was called after VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz spoke critically
on Friday morning about Faber's appointment. Faber, who is currently sitting in
Parliament, was tapped to succeed Gidi Markuszower. Her fellow MP was dropped
as a ministerial candidate on Thursday after he failed the security screening
conducted by civilian intelligence agency AIVD. PVV leader Geert Wilders made
the decision with Van Zwol.
"There
is commotion about my statements that I made in the past as a member of the
opposition. Also among the VVD and NSC factions. I understand that," Faber
wrote on X. She said should she serve on the Cabinet, she will express herself
within the boundaries of the coalition agreement, and their pledge to uphold
"the rule of law." This includes provisions about religious freedom.
Van Zwol
said he thinks the politician is a suitable candidate for the post and said
that she has also passed the AIVD screening. It is unprecedented for the name
of a candidate minister to be known and then to be dropped after a screening.
It is also very unusual for a coalition party to openly question a candidate
minister, as the VVD did with Faber. "It really happens in every formation
that one or more of the candidates in particular are put in the
spotlight," Van Zwol said, trying to downplay it.
During the
consultation with the faction leaders, it was also discussed how they
communicate their reservations and dissatisfaction to each other. Van Zwol says
that from now on they will "express themselves more calmly in the
media." This intention was expressed several times during the formation
process, yet the negotiating parties continued to criticize each other via
traditional and social media. He emphasized several times that he wants to
maintain "peace and order."
It is not
yet known who will become deputy prime minister on behalf of the PVV. According
to Van Zwol, this has not been discussed. Wilders will announce that name by
Monday at the latest.
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