THE HAGUE - The Dutch House of Representatives' Committee on Kingdom Relations is in search of a new chairperson after just two months.
Femke Zeedijk, a member of Parliament from the New Social Contract (NSC) party, announced her immediate resignation from her parliamentary role. Her decision is unrelated to kingdom relations but stems from her disapproval of her party's stance during the debate on last week’s riots in Amsterdam. Zeedijk criticized the NSC for not distancing itself from polarizing rhetoric by coalition partners PVV, VVD, and BBB, as well as alleged racist remarks about Moroccan youth attributed to members of these parties.
Zeedijk had held the chair position since September 25 and presided over only one committee meeting during her tenure. Until a new chairperson is elected, vice-chair Songül Mutluer (GroenLinks-PvdA) will temporarily lead committee meetings.
The sudden vacancy has raised concerns about the stability of leadership in the committee, which handles critical matters relating to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.