The motion against the plan of State Secretary Ingrid Coenradie (PVV, Justice and Security) to release prisoners with relatively short penalties a maximum of two weeks earlier, was rejected by 75 against 74 votes on Tuesday. Coenradie can therefore continue with her plans, despite three coalition parties (PVV, VVD and BBB) that voted against her proposal.
Last week the motion was also voted on. That then became a draw, so that the joint and several mood had to go again on Tuesday. In the first instance, a result of 74 votes in favor and 75 votes was counted against. This caused unrest in the Chamber, because that result had one opponent more than what was anticipated. After recount, just like last week, both 74 supporters and opponents were counted. The rules dictate that the motion is rejected in that case.
Prior to Tuesday’s vote, it was agreed to ‘pair’. That means that if a pre-or opponent cannot be present at the mood, who agrees with a member of the other camp to both be absent. As a result, a result of 74 against 74 was already anticipating. Chamber chairman Martin Bosma admitted after the unrest that an error had been made and that there were indeed 148 members present.
Coenradie came home with the plan prisoners with relatively light penalties earlier last month, due to a shortage of cells. That proposal came up with fierce criticism, especially from her own party.
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