According to NRC, three former employees of Rafaela went to the integrity committee of D66 with complaints about abuse of power and bullying. The committee would have upheld the complaints.
Rafaela let us know on Friday evening that she does not want to respond at the moment. Its spokesperson does not comment on the report, but calls the investigation “can be improved”.
The unrest would have completely ruined cooperation in the two-headed D66 delegation in the European Parliament. Insiders confirm to De Telegraaf that Rafaela and In ‘t Veld have hardly been able to get along for some time. There seems to be two separate D66 delegations in the meeting halls in Brussels and Strasbourg.
According to NRC, Rafaela has formally ended the collaboration. That means the two no longer share staff. Delegation leader In ‘t Veld also came under fire in the previous period because of disturbed relations in the faction.
Rafaela’s spokesman denies that she has any plans to leave the party: “We will continue happily. Samira is and remains D66.” The national party board did not respond to questions from De Telegraaf on Friday evening. It is not clear whether the unrest at D66 in Europe will be discussed during an update session next Sunday. The party then speaks behind closed doors with members about the recent MeToo affair around former party bosses Frans van Drimmelen.
