Secretary of State for Finance DutchNora Achahbar, announced Friday her resignation after a crisis meeting, denouncing racist remarks made by one of his colleagues in the Council of Ministers in connection with the violence against Israelis in Amsterdam. The identity of the author of these remarks and their precise content remain unknown for the moment. His decision has raised concerns about the stability of the right-wing coalition led by the Prime Minister. Dick Schoofbut this one was finally preserved.
Nora Achahbar, 42, a former prosecutor of Moroccan origin and member of the New Social Contract (NSC) party, explained that she could no longer “effectively fulfil her duties as a prosecutor”. [sa] function” because of the “polarizing climate” within the government. “The polarizing behaviors of recent weeks have had such an impact on me that I can no longer and no longer want to effectively fulfill my function as Secretary of State,” she told reporters.
A coalition under high tension
Nora Achahbar’s departure threatened to weaken the four-party coalition government. Her party, the NSC, holds 20 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, while the Freedom Party (PVV) from Geert Wildersthe far-right party that came out on top in the 2023 parliamentary elections, holds 37. However, after a lengthy crisis meeting on Friday evening, the NSC has decided to maintain its support for the government.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof said, “As a government, we have decided to carry on together.” He also asserted that “there has never been any racism in [son] government or within the coalition parties”.
The shadow of far-right leader Geert Wilders
This controversy also follows statements made by Geert Wilders, who, during a parliamentary debate, blamed “Muslims” and “Moroccans” for the violence in Amsterdam.
Although not a member of the government, Geert Wilders remains an influential figure as an MP and leader of the PVV. After the meeting, he expressed his satisfaction: “I am extremely happy that the government has not fallen. We have confidence in each other and will continue together.”