After a robust council meeting on Tuesday evening, the political aftermath remains palpable in Coevorden. While several parties lost confidence in BBC2014 councilors Erik Holties and Steven Stegen, their own faction speaks of ‘political games’ and continues to support the directors.
This seems to indicate that an administrative crisis is in the making, in the middle of ongoing coalition negotiations.
On Wednesday, the day after the council, various parties left little room for doubt. According to VVD faction leader Erwin Weggemans, the ball is emphatically in the aldermen’s court.
“We sent BBC2014 and the councilors home with a clear assignment: think about your political future. It is clear to us, this ends here,” he says.
The core of the criticism remains unchanged. Publications in the Coevorder Courantpaid for with public money just before the elections, have damaged confidence. Integrity, Weggemans emphasizes, is the basis of governance.
“That trust has been damaged. We no longer see a political future, be realistic and count your buttons.” According to him, behind the scenes people are already thinking about forming a new coalition, without the current councilors.
There is also doubt among the PvdA, although the tone is less harsh. Group chairman Michel Blanken calls the situation ‘disconcerting’ and ‘complex’. “I miss that political sensitivity. The councilors now have the opportunity to decide for themselves what they do with this situation.”
Blanken points out that many parties no longer have much confidence in a workable future with the current directors. “Most parties no longer see any point in this. The ball is now really in the court of BBC2014 and the councilors themselves.”
The conversations with the informant should make it clear how things will proceed.
There is a fierce response from BBC2014 to the criticism. In a statement on social media, the party distances itself from the course of events in the council. “Political games do not fit with stable and reliable representation. Our residents do not deserve that.”
According to the party, the controversial publications were purely informative and the fuss is out of proportion. “The timing was unfortunate, but there was no campaign stunt. This issue has been made much bigger than what we stand for.”
The faction emphasizes that the councilors have apologized and taken responsibility. However, the party believes it is unjustified that other parties have withdrawn their confidence without a formal vote of no confidence.
While most parties speak of a breakdown in trust, BBC2014 opts for a different line: the councilors remain supported. “We continue to stand behind our councilors.” That causes a split. There is political support within their own party, but hardly outside.
The coming days will be crucial. The councilors have announced that they will deliberate and provide a response. In the meantime, conversations with the informant continue. The outcome seems to go either way, from voluntary departure to a reshuffle of the coalition.
