The Elderly Party Heerlen (OPH) strongly criticizes the attitude of SP, CDA, VVD/D66 and Hoensbroeks Interest in forming a new coalition.
According to the party, these have led OPH to stop the talks and opt for the opposition, despite being the largest party. Party leader and – for a while – alderman Adriane Keulen speaks of a bizarre turn and calls the course of events very sad and humiliating.
Also read: Heerlen’s largest party switches to opposition
Biggest party
In the March elections, OPH rose from seven to eight seats. The SP fell from ten to eight seats. OPH did become number one with 1.7 percent more votes than the SP. She therefore thought it logical that this should be translated into the distribution of the portfolios.
OPH therefore wanted a larger part of the well-being portfolio, including policy on the elderly, postal center development and the portfolio management and maintenance. “But we received a clear ‘no’ from the other parties. We then said ‘we do not agree with that’ because it does not do justice to the election results. And we are going into the opposition,” said party leader Cologne.
Governance culture
Cologne states that the other parties are apparently still on the lead of the SP. Who, for example, has had the social domain portfolio for twenty years. According to her, it appears that they are not open to a change in the management culture.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to break through that. CDA, VVD/D66 and Hoensbroeks Belang are simply backing the SP again. Their power is apparently still very great, even though they are no longer the largest party,” Cologne argues. She also states that she has the idea that the matter had long been discussed behind the back of the OPH.
surprise
VVD party leader and incumbent VVD/D66 alderman Martin de Beer stated in a reaction that he was surprised at OPH’s withdrawal. “I am disappointed and find it very unfortunate. But I also find it strange and premature because there was indeed a willingness to move and negotiate. We also did not say no to OPH’s claims. They simply had to deal with follow-up conversations. We were still in the middle of that process,” said De Beer.
He emphasizes that he has always worked well with OPH for eight years. From an administrative point of view, he would also have thought it best if the two by far largest parties had rejoined a coalition. “But now it is important to quickly form a workable new college”, says De Beer. As the second largest party, the SP is now taking the lead.