“Unfortunately, we can never please everyone. But I understand the disappointment when candidates do not get on the list.” This is what national party chairman Eric Wetzels said in response to the criticism expressed by Drenthe VVD member Ewout Klok yesterday after the announcement of the VVD candidates for the House of Representatives.
The candidates that the Drenthe VVD had put forward did not make the selection, it became apparent when the VVD candidate list was announced. This concerns Hilda Mulder and Ewout Klok. There are two other people from Drenthe on the list, Jeroen Hartsuiker from Klazienaveen in 37th place and Irma Talens from Coevorden in 69th place.
Hilda Mulder responds without ‘hard feelings’ towards her party, but is dissatisfied with the positions of the Drenthe people on the list. According to her, the chance that a Drent will end up in the House of Representatives on behalf of the VVD is very small. As a Drenthe VVD member, Ewout Klok is a lot less lenient. “I am now being personally wronged and the board is insulting the VVD in Drenthe,” he told RTV Drenthe.
Chairman Wetzels does not want to waste any words on it. “I don’t make any statements about the individuals.” According to him, it often happens that candidates nominated by regions do not make the list. “People can be nominated by the various networks, including the regional departments. The permanent scouting committee makes an initial selection and then we invite candidates for an interview. This results in nominations and after the completed research, the lists are discussed with the various departments. and also the regional chairmen. The faction leadership can also give their opinion. But all in all it is a careful process,” says Chairman Wetzels.
But is Drenthe sufficiently represented? “We have all drawn up the list. We try to do justice to the divisions as much as possible. This concerns regions, but also, for example, the balance between experienced people and new people,” the VVD chairman explains. .
Ewout Klok said he was advised by the party to report to the outside world that he was too low on the list and had therefore withdrawn.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.
VVD chairman Eric Wetzels does not want to comment on this: “I cannot comment further on that. I do not make any statements about individuals or about the conversations with candidates. It is his right that Mr Klok is critical, but that is possible. I will not go into further detail,” Wetzels concludes.