Hilda Mulder from Koekange is still on the VVD candidate list for the House of Representatives elections on November 22. The board of the VVD Drenthe had previously nominated her as a candidate, together with Ewout Klok from Hoogeveen, but both were passed over for the draft list.
There is now room for Mulder on the final list of candidates. She is in 79th place, one place above list pusher and former Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden. There is no place for Klok on the final list either.
Jeroen Hartsuiker from Klazienaveen, who is an alderman in Borger-Odoorn, is now in place 35. Irma Talens from Coevorden is in place 67. Both were initially two places lower.
The absence of both Mulder and Klok led to consternation within the Drenthe VVD earlier this month. The national party board decided to put two other Drenthe people on the electoral list.
Mulder responded without ‘hard feelingstowards her party, but indicated that she was dissatisfied with the positions of the Drenthe candidates. According to her, there was little chance that, after Mark Strolenberg, another Drent would end up in the House of Representatives on behalf of the VVD.
Klok reacted furiously. According to him, the national party leadership insulted the VVD in Drenthe. Klok also claimed that he was advised by the party to report to the outside world that he was too low on the list and had therefore withdrawn. “The reality is that I would not be on the list at all. Afraid that I would still end up in the House with preferential votes,” the Drenthe VVD member responded.