Three interim ministers resign as MPs following criticism of dual role

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VVD MP Dilan Yesilgz was appointed Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs in May. Photo: ANP / Patrick van Katwijk

Three newly appointed ministers in the interim cabinet have relinquished their seats in parliament amid growing controversy over their dual roles.

Junior Minister of Economic Affairs Dilan Yeilgz, Junior Minister of Social Affairs Dennis Wiersma Dennis Wiersma and Junior Minister of Infrastructure Steven van Weyenberg said their decision was prompted by a review of the situation by the State Council.

Once a cabinet is sworn in, ministers are not allowed to sit in parliament, under rules designed to separate the executive and legislative branches of government. But the rule does not apply to acting ministers, who often run for office and can keep their jobs while negotiations to form a new cabinet take place.

Parliament asked the Council of State to review the position of ministers appointed after a general election but before a new cabinet is sworn in.

Yeilgz, a VVD MP, was given a new portfolio in May focusing on energy and climate policy, while Wiersma and Van Weyenberg, both from D66, were appointed last month, replacing colleagues who have resigned.

The Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, said this week that there was no constitutional ban on MPs holding positions in an interim administration, but called the situation “unfortunate” . He said only Parliament can change the rules that determine who can be an MP.

The trio said they had decided to cede their seats in light of the decision and called on MPs to debate “the fundamental question that the Council of State posed in its balanced decision on the accession of parliamentarians to an interim cabinet, and not three individual meetings ”.

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