Dutch leader of party in fragile ruling coalition quits politics, citing burnout

Dutch leader of party in fragile ruling coalition quits politics, citing burnout

Dutch centre-right leader Pieter Omtzigt has announced that he is quitting both the fragile four-party ruling coalition and national politics.

Pieter Omtzigt was a member of the House of Representatives for more than 21 years, long for the CDA and then for NSC. He became well-known by exposing the benefits affair.

Pieter Omtzigt is leaving national politics. He is unable to recover from his burnout 'in the current hustle and bustle of The Hague', the NSC leader and founder announced in a video message on X.

According to officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Social Affairs' assessment of a pension plan of NSC and BBB has been toned down after remarks by minister and NSC deputy prime minister Van Hijum. VVD minister Heinen (Finance) notes that he finds this course of events 'very remarkable'.

After fierce criticism from the sector and the Council of State, Minister Van Hijum has now also rejected the pension proposal from NSC, BBB and PVV, which provides for more say in the new system.

“It was a great honor and privilege to have been a member of parliament for over 21 years,” said Omtzigt. “But the price to pay has been quite high. That's why I'm choosing to put my family first for the first time and choose my own health,” she added. His New Social Contract party, founded just two years ago, is the fourth largest in the Dutch parliament and was part of the governing coalition after months of negotiations last year. This week, …