Extremely unfortunate, is how SP nestor Nico Heijmans from Den Bosch describes the departure of Lilian Marijnissen from the House of Representatives. Marijnissen announced her departure on Saturday. To Heijmans’ sadness: “I think this was a personal decision, not the party that said ‘go do something different’.”
In the eyes of Nico Heijmans, Marijnissen’s resignation is unnecessary. “Over the years, she presented herself better and better. She performed excellently in recent debates.”
Lilian Marijnissen did not win a single election for the SP. In the last elections the SP lost significantly and went from 9 to 5 seats.
Heijmans (69), who has been a member of the provincial council for more than 25 years, nevertheless believes that she did well in the campaign. “She had a consistent story. I think she could have easily continued for a term. Although I also understand and respect that she says ‘I did my best and it is good’.”
With the departure of Lilian, the dynasty of the Marijnissen family at the SP comes to an end. Her father Jan was a member of parliament from 1994 to 2010. Lilian was in the room for more than six years.
“You can say that an era has passed,” says Heijmans. “I don’t know if she will have any more children, but for the time being there will be no Marijnissen in the House of Representatives anymore.”
National politicians also regret departure
The party leaders of PVV, GroenLinks-PvdA, VVD and D66 regret the departure of SP leader Lilian Marijnissen.
With her departure, “the House of Representatives loses an experienced politician and a powerful advocate of the left-wing cause,” Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA) said on X.
PVV leader Geert Wilders calls it “a shame” that she is leaving, but expresses his respect for her choice. “I think she’s great, regardless of all political differences. A good debater and a very sympathetic colleague.”
VVD party leader Dilan Yesilgöz describes Marijnissen as “enthusiastic, experienced, passionate.”