Even though she had not applied, Roelien Kamminga, ‘chairman for four days’, still received twelve votes in the election for the chairmanship of the House, which PVV member Martin Bosma ultimately won. She was showered with compliments, but had to endure an attack from Pieter Omtzigt.
Since the new House of Representatives started last week, 45-year-old VVD member Kamminga from Zuidbroek has been temporary chairman. MPs from all kinds of parties praised her last week for her presidential style. It almost made her shy.
However, she decided last weekend not to run for president. For personal reasons, she said, because there were already two other good candidates and because she also found the regular work in the House useful.
During this week’s meetings, MPs continued to congratulate her on her pleasant chairing style. And that was no different during the ultimately quite exciting election of the Speaker of the House.
Secret ballot in two rounds
The members of the House of Representatives must then vote secretly with notes. In the first rounds they can vote for anyone, including someone who has not applied for chairman. The first time, Martin Bosma received 71 votes, Tom van der Lee 61 and Roelien Kamminga 12.
Reason for Pieter Omtzigt to ask to speak. He thought it would be better for Kamminga to step down as chairman during the next rounds of voting. Because after all, she had been voted for and he didn’t know whether she might not seriously want to participate after all.
Omtzigt was completely alone in that request. Almost all other factions came forward to express full confidence in Kamminga. “And that gives us the opportunity to compliment her once again on how she is doing as temporary chairman,” said Caroline van der Plas.
‘Really not a candidate’
Kamminga could laugh about it herself, but explained that she is really not a candidate. Yet she still received 5 votes in the second and ultimately decisive round. Bosma got 75 in that second round and Van der Lee 66.