It is not yet entirely clear who will be seated in the Statenzaal. It is clear that many new faces are emerging in the Provincial Council. With a gain of 17 seats at the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), the candidates who put themselves forward as list pushers will also have to work.
The cake is on the table at Hendrik Smeenge’s farm in Lieveren. “We hit it today boys.” Smeenge cuts off thick slices of whipped cream. “We achieved a very good result.” As number 16 on the list for BBB, Smeenge has a good chance of ending up in the Provincial Council. And he hadn’t seen that coming.
“I’m in a bit of a split.” Smeenge has been a member of the council of Noordenveld for Municipal Interests for fifteen years. He was re-elected with preferential votes. “I promised the faction that I would only support BBB. Ultimately, I think I can get more done at the provincial level than at the municipal level.”
Smeenge takes a beating. Before he makes a final decision to enter Parliament, he wants to consult with the other candidates. “The first seven on the list have taken it into account. The others have to switch. Me too. We have to see who is available first.”
The new Members of Parliament will be installed on 29 March. It should become clear in the coming week who they are.
Hendrik Smeenge explains the choice he faces, and new member of Parliament Marloes Kramer-Hammenga (Volt) also looks ahead: