Deputy Egbert van Dijk of Nature and Finance resigns. The provincial director of the BBB says he is distrusted and sometimes opposed by a small part of his own faction and fellow BBB deputy Gert-Jan Schuinder.
He also believes that the BBB is too cautious in Drenthe’s politics and prefers to be forced by the courts when it comes to matters such as nitrogen and nature restoration. As a result, he says he cannot do his job properly.
Van Dijk has recently found it increasingly difficult to carry out his tasks under the coalition agreement together with the BBB faction and his fellow deputy. The deputy informed the BBB faction this evening that he is quitting and has submitted his resignation to the King’s Deputy Commissioner.
Van Dijk: “If you are mistrusted and sometimes literally opposed by a small part of your own faction and by your own colleague in the council, and if you are also intimidated and sometimes even receive threats from people who you should actually see as your ‘supporter’, then it is no longer credible or explainable to me that I am in the council on behalf of the Boer Citizen Movement.” Van Dijk does not say what type of threats and opposition this concerns.
Van Dijk: “The premise of the coalition agreement, the realization of the legally established nature goals in conjunction with a future-proof agricultural sector in Drenthe, is increasingly coming under pressure. Improper discussions arise about the interpretation of legislation and regulations, case law and rules surrounding nature development.”
“The legitimacy of independent organizations established by the government, such as the Ecological Authority, is also openly questioned. Moreover, issues in these dossiers are too easily passed on to the courts instead of us as an administration making decisions ourselves.”
“Drenthe is virtually locked down as a result of the nitrogen crisis,” Van Dijk continues. “To achieve this, firm decisions are needed that lead to a reduction in nitrogen emissions and to nature restoration measures, especially around our fourteen Natura 2000 areas. It is precisely on that point that I experience too much reluctance within the BBB faction and among my colleagues in the council. As soon as it really becomes concrete and decisions actually have to be made, the reflex of waiting or letting the judge force us to do it dominates.”
Van Dijk: “I love my work and I have a wonderful portfolio that is tailor-made for me, but in the past period I have been disappointed too often, both before and behind the scenes, by a small part of my own group and by my own colleague in the council.”
The deputy stops on Wednesday. It is not yet known who his successor will be.