PvdA Member of Parliament and former Speaker of the House Khadija Arib stops as a parliamentarian she announced in a statement on Saturday evening. As a reason for this she gives the “(anonymous) stab thrusts of the last days.” By this she is referring to anonymous letters that led to an independent external investigation into possible transgressive behavior by Arib during her time as Speaker of the House (2016 – 2021).
The anonymous letter writers accused Arib of “abuse of power,” “a reign of terror” and “an unsafe work environment.” It is unique that the executive committee of the House has an investigation carried out into a former chairman, who was still a member of the House. After the news, which she had to hear through the press, Arib spoke of a “puppet show” and “a political reckoning” and refused to cooperate. Earlier Saturday, five opposition parties demanded clarity from current Chamber President Vera Bergkamp (D66) about the state of affairs.
Insufficient support from own group
“I am willing to endure much, but every person has his limit. These are attacks on my dignity,” writes Arib, who says she has “never experienced so much as in the past 48 hours” in her political career. She thanked the opposition politicians who had sent the letter to Bergkamp. “At the same time, it is hard for me that my group members are missing from this letter,” said Arib. “The latter contributed to my decision.”
The latter hit hard for PvdA leader Attje Kuiken, who died on Saturday evening on Twitter said he was “totally surprised” by the news. In recent days, attempts have been made to contact Arib for an interview, but that has not happened. As far as the PvdA is concerned, Arib’s departure was therefore “not necessary”, according to Kuiken. Former Labor Party leader Lodewijk Asscher called Arib “an example” and said she found her departure “to” and “mortal sin.”
With 8,811 days, or more than 24 years, Arib was the second longest serving Member of Parliament. Only SGP leader Kees van der Staaij has been in parliament longer: 8902 days.