The House of Representatives bid farewell to Pieter Omtzigt, Member of Parliament and faction leader of the New Social Contract (NSC), on Tuesday, May 13. He was a member of parliament for 22 years, of which eighteen years for the CDA and since late 2023 for NSC.
“Your track record, Pieter, speaks for itself: the childcare benefits scandal, this needs no explanation. Your fight against corruption in the Council of Europe, your immense knowledge in the field of pensions and taxes, naturally benefiting from the fact that you are a PhD econometrician, your efforts surrounding the aftermath of the fireworks disaster, exactly 25 years ago today in the area where you now live. You have had stacks of amendments and motions adopted, you have made many friends and also many enemies: sometimes that is just how it goes”, said Speaker of the House Martin Bosma at his farewell. Omtzigt dealt with finances, taxes, and pensions in the House.
Deep Valley
It is clear that you have gone through a deep valley and are still going through it, and I am very sorry about that, but I think it is wonderful how open you are about it and how much you share with us about the things you encounter, said Bosma.
Institution
“There was no second like you, you came as a member of parliament in 2003 and you leave as an institution. You are a concept and an example for many, you cannot really achieve more than that. I pinned a royal decoration on you at noon, and it is well deserved”, said the Speaker of the House.
Another Farewell
The House of Representatives also bid farewell to Jacqueline van den Hil, Member of Parliament for the VVD, on Tuesday, May 13.