Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) has been invited by informant Ronald Plasterk to return to the table on Thursday morning.
Plasterk has also invited the party leaders of PVV, VVD and BBB to that conversation. To the disappointment of the three parties, Omtzigt was not present at the meeting they had with Plasterk on Wednesday evening.
The three party leaders sat together for almost two hours to discuss the situation that has arisen, after Omtzigt indicated on Tuesday evening that he did not want to discuss the formation of a new cabinet in this first round of information. Geert Wilders said afterwards on Wednesday that they had a “good conversation”.
‘We are looking for solutions’
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz and BBB leader Caroline van der Plas also allowed Wilders to speak to the press on their behalf. The PVV leader did not respond to questions, nor did he say anything about the letter that the NSC faction delivered to the informant.
The PVV leader said he hopes that Omtzigt will be there on Thursday. “In any case, we will have a meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m. and we will look for solutions.”
Informant Plasterk was also silent. He did say that the four parties had previously reached an agreement on the rule of law. If that had not happened, other topics could not have been discussed, Plasterk said. He referred to his assignment that he received from the House. “I can only say that I adhere to that.”
Pieter Omtzigt thanks again
Pieter Omtzigt once again declines the invitation to talk to informant Ronald Plasterk and negotiators from PVV, VVD and BBB. On Wednesday evening, the chair also remained empty during a conversation with Plasterk at which the other three parties had joined.
They want Omtzigt to explain why, according to them, he unexpectedly announced on Tuesday that as far as he was concerned the discussions had ended. His spokesperson does not think this is necessary. The party has already provided PVV, VVD and BBB with explanations in a letter.
“The work is done for now,” the spokesperson said. The party continues to support the choice of negotiators Omtzigt and Eddy van Hijum to await Plasterk’s report. She sees no reason to deviate from the fact that the other three parties are increasing the pressure by inviting Omtzigt again for a meeting.