D66’s draft candidate list for the upcoming House of Representatives elections includes two Drenthes. Wieke Paulusma is in 14th place, Joey Koops in 36th.
44-year-old Paulusma grew up in Odoorn, but started her political career in the Groningen municipal council. Since 2021, she has been a member of the House of Representatives on behalf of D66. The 31-year-old Koops also comes from the southeastern corner. De Emmenaar is currently group leader in the municipal council.
The chance that Koops and Paulusma will enter the House of Representatives seems small for the time being. D66 is doing poorly in the polls: according to a poll by I&O Research, the party now has 7 seats, compared to the current 24 parliamentary seats. In the most recent EenVandaag poll there are 10.
Furthermore, the list contains some newcomers in high places, but there are also sitting faction members who are low on the list or are not even on it. The list is headed by Climate Minister Rob Jetten. Current party leader Jan Paternotte is at number two. State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief (Mining) is in fifth place.
Some sitting faction members did not make the list. There is no room for Jeanet van der Laan, Kiki Hagen and Hind Dekker-Abdulaziz. According to NRC, there was a ‘digital crying session’ on Sunday, in which dissatisfied party members could express their dissatisfaction.
Party chairman Victor Everhardt found drawing up the list ‘a challenge’. “We have carefully considered and placed candidates on the list with experience in politics, but also beyond.” This is a draft list on which the members still have to vote. The order of the list can therefore still change.