At the NSC congress, the many empty chairs remind you of the runaway voters

The curtains are closed, daylight does not penetrate into the huge hall of Omnisport Apeldoorn. A small stage has been built in the middle of the hall, where slightly fewer than two hundred members of New Social Contract (NSC) came together this Saturday. Hundreds and hundreds of empty chairs yawn the members, an unintended memory of all the runaway voters.

NSC, the Party for Good Governance that had twenty second room seats two years ago, threatens to disappear from parliament in the upcoming elections at the end of October. And the party is in the phase where other parties have also been in decline. Some of the full holders still believe in it, and part of the discussion about procedures, regulations and formalities.

Mistrust

For example, this congress is a motion of no confidence on the table against divorcing party chairman Kilian Wawoe. The submitter, Sander Nieman, believes that the party is led too much from above, that members have too little to say, and that NSC does not meet its own promises. “We would be the party that does not play in The Hague games, and we do nothing but that.”

A lot of confusion and a fight in the party arose about this motion this week, because the board had internally threatened not to let the party participate in the elections if this motion would be assumed. If Wawoe were to be sent away, the entire board would board, and that would endanger participation in the elections. That was a misunderstanding, director Matthijs Punter now tells the members. But he says: “If you now send the entire board away, it will lead to risks.”

Speakers respond divided. A man says: “We are not a argument, we are a party of the content.” MP Rosanne Hertzberger is talking about ‘a silly, crazy motion’. A woman says: “The top down board style does not fit with NSC.” A man: “The board has caused damage to NSC in the media.” Another man praises the board, because they “the clere works for the party”.

Kilian Wawoe apologizes for everything that has gone wrong in recent months. He is happy with the discussion, he says. “If you want a party where there is only harmony, then you have to go to the PVV congress.” The issue ends with a hiss for him, the submitter pulls his motion before the vote.

Tough months

NSC has had difficult months. This summer, three MPs left the group and recently withdrew the intended number two, Nicolien van Vroonhoven, from the list of candidates after members had put her in fourth place. Last month, the party left the outgoing coalition with VVD and BBB, for a high -up conflict on measures against Israel.

Some members have difficulty with that step, although there is understanding for the position of then Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs). Veldkamp gets a long -term applause.

Leader Eddy Van Hijum says in his speech that it was necessary to put “a principle line” in the conflict around Israel. Van Hijum believes that NSC can still be “a bridge” in politics, between government and society, between polarized groups, between left and right.

Ferment

But it continues to ferment all day in Apeldoorn. For example, with a sharing session about campaigning, led by Member of Parliament and campaign leader Bram Kouwenhoven. There are about fifteen members in a room who want to hear tips on how to campaign. Kouwenhoven explains the difference between “the direct brain and the indirect brain” of voters. The direct brain reacts instinctively, emotionally. NSC people sometimes have difficulty addressing that brain, he says. In the indirect brain, that reasons and is rational, they are very good. There is a profit to be gained when NSC responds better to the emotions of voters, he says.

Bram Kouwenhoven is only just busy when a man gets up in a pile of A4 pages. It is Hans den Hollander, a critical NSC member from Noord-Brabant. He stands in front of the group and starts reading “a statement,” he says. “I have fundamental criticism!”

Kouwenhoven lets him go his way for a while. Den Hollander is talking about ‘a death fight’ that NSC is now conducting, and that the party has become ‘insufficiently distinctive’. Those present get angry and try to silence him. They had not come for this. Den Hollander reads about how NSC should profile itself as “the only real middle party.” Kouwenhoven interrupts Den Hollander, and he sits down again.

Without Omtzigt

The congress takes place without founder Pieter Omtzigt, without his disappointed successor Nicolien van Vroonhoven, and without several determining faces of the party. In contrast to the previous party congress earlier this year, the name Van Omtzigt hardly falls anymore.

Kilian Wawoe speaks directly to him. He shows a selfie from the five founders of the party, which they took when they decided in 2023 to set up a party. Omtzigt is head of the table, with a hesitant look. Wawoe: “Pieter, you are not there today. The fact that you wanted to offer space to your successor so shows your greatness.”

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