Around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, hours before his swearing-in, former EO presenter and brand new MP for the CDA Tijs van den Brink stands with his family at the gates of the Chamber building. “At the front of the pie slice, I hope,” says his father-in-law about the place he has in mind for his son-in-law in the House of Representatives. Van den Brink eventually turns out to be sitting in the third row — “next to the other Van den Brink,” a family member jokes, referring to CDA member Bart van den Brink.
Today the new House of Representatives was sworn in. Seventy members are new, eighty remain.
Before the swearing-in, there will be a lunch for MPs and family. There is a festive atmosphere at the bottom of the escalator to the plenary hall, with standing tables and hotel lobby music. Chic wine glasses contain spa red or milk. Marjolein Faber (PVV), back in Parliament after her ministership, asks “Where was it again?” she asks an employee. “It remains a maze here.”
Lisa Vliegenthart (GroenLinks-PvdA), number 27 on the list, entered the House of Representatives thanks to preferential votes. During lunch she sits on a bench with her family, away from the hustle and bustle. She previously worked as a midwife and as an advocacy advisor at Doctors of the World. “It is important that there are MPs who know things well,” she says. “I look forward to coming up with solutions, especially based on my practical experience.”
Peace-sign
Chairman Martin Bosma (PVV) is the first to take the oath, followed by the other 149. They have the choice between a secular “I declare and promise this”, or the religious “So truly help me God Almighty”. A few do it in Frisian, such as Habtamu de Hoop (GroenLinks-PvdA) and Femke Wiersma (BBB).
Not everything goes smoothly. Pepijn van Houwelingen (FVD) crosses his fingers peacesign during the oath. Thierry Baudet gestures that he should keep them together; the clerk lets him start over. Mona Keijzer (BBB) is also wrong: “I declare and promise that – oh no, so help me God Almighty.” Afterwards, the new Chamber poses for the group photo. “Under the motto: they still laughed here,” says Bosma dryly.
The new Chamber is on average slightly younger. The number of people in their twenties increased from five to eight, and the number of people in their thirties from 29 to 45. Habtamu de Hoop (27) seemed to be the youngest member, but Etkin Armut (GroenLinks-PvdA) from Assen is four months younger. She was previously a municipal councilor in Groningen and a teacher of history and social studies.
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PVV must share
The room layout has changed considerably. Geert Wilders wanted to remain on the far right with the entire PVV faction, but had to share the space with seven FVD members. The CDA has taken its place on the former level of NSC. Joost Eerdmans and Annabel Nanninga (JA21) take the old places of Caroline van der Plas and Henk Vermeer. The BBB has moved one row back in that same section. The VVD remains in its usual place, together with the SGP and the Christian Union.
On the far left are GroenLinks-PvdA, SP and 50PLUS. Jesse Klaver and Kati Piri have taken their seats on the front bench of GroenLinks-PvdA. Number two, Esmah Lahlah, sits one row behind.
Several outgoing ministers also took the oath again: BBB members Femke Wiersma and Mona Keijzer, and VVD members Thierry Aartsen, Vincent Karremans, Ruben Brekelmans and Eelco Heinen. The last three – possible future VVD leaders – sit at the back of their party box. They may combine both functions until there is a new cabinet.
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