According to Bontenbal, the coalition has failed in its promise to put the Netherlands first. Instead, political chaos and short-term politics have dominated the recent period, culminating in the premature end of the cabinet. He criticized both the PVV and the VVD for their role in this crisis and advocated for stability, decent politics, and a choice for the common good over party politics.
Read Henris contribution to the debate here
Chairman,
This coalition has ended as it began: with distrust, amateurism, and chaos.
Irresponsible and reckless: that is the fall of this cabinet.
Especially in this time of international insecurity and uncertainty, politicians are expected to choose the future of the Netherlands and not their own interests.
The Netherlands longs for decent politics, for competent officials, for a politics that is there for the common good.
The PVV has once again shown that it recklessly handles the future of the Netherlands and is not willing to take responsibility.
But the VVD has also played an irresponsible role. A year and a half ago, the VVD also brought down the cabinet on the issue of migration. Even then we called it irresponsible and reckless. After all, the war in Ukraine was already ongoing. The VVD deliberately placed the keys of governance in the hands of the PVV. The result we have seen: chaos and stagnation.
While we cannot afford stagnation.
This coalition claimed to put the Netherlands first, but put itself first and the Netherlands second. For a year, we have had to witness political amateurism. This was the worst cabinet since World War II.
The worst part is that once again the trust of voters has been damaged. Once again, the reputation of politics has declined due to the actions of these coalition parties.
The CDA has constructively opposed from day one to contribute to a decent Netherlands. A choice for stability instead of spectacle. For connection instead of division. For responsible solutions instead of short-term politics. We will continue with this in the coming months.
Even in a caretaker period, the Netherlands deserves that we get to work on measures to build more homes, gain more control over migration, and above all:
A politics that does not fuel distrust in society, but makes society stronger and more powerful. In addition, the CDA wants new elections as soon as possible.
I want to thank our prime minister for his tireless efforts and ask him and his cabinet team to do what is necessary in the interest of the Netherlands in the coming months. A budget needs to be made, and on the issues of housing, migration, and defense, we cannot afford any delays. The CDA will always make a constructive contribution in the interest of the Netherlands.
I would like to ask my colleagues in the House: let us be cautious at this time with all kinds of political wishes, for we cannot afford more chaos. The CDA will be very cautious in submitting or supporting various proposals that are not helpful in getting an orderly process and governance of our country back on track.
Chairman, the Netherlands needs decent politics, with competent leaders. After two years of political chaos, the Netherlands does not need experiments, but a politics beyond the whims of the day; beyond the daily shouting, beyond the incitement on social media, beyond the flat one-liners, beyond pushing problems into the future.
What is needed is a politics that aims for the common good and for the long term. It is high time for Christian democratic politics.