THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The junior finance minister of the Netherlands resigned on Friday amid backlash over his unwillingness to release specifics about his personal investment portfolio. His resignation marks the first departure from the recently formed ruling coalition, which is largely influenced by hard-right forces since it took office in July.
Folkert Idsinga, representing the New Social Contract party, had campaigned in the previous year with promises to restore integrity in public office following numerous governmental controversies.
This week, he faced significant criticism for not disclosing information about his stock holdings and other investments, a move that became particularly contentious given his role overseeing the tax office and taxation policies.
During his announcement of resignation, Idsinga maintained his innocence, stating he had adhered to the proper protocols by informing the official responsible for vetting new Cabinet members and by placing his investments into a holding foundation to avoid conflicts of interest while in his ministerial role.
Despite his defense, opposition lawmakers, especially from Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom, pressed Idsinga to clarify the specific companies in which he holds investments.
As he stepped down, Idsinga pointed to fraught relations within the four-party coalition sworn in on July 2, singling out Wilders’ party in his reasoning for his departure. “One of the parties that backed this call is our largest coalition partner. To me, this is not acceptable and it directly affects the trust that the House of Representatives has in me as a minister,” he stated, emphasizing his inability to function effectively under such circumstances and marking a definitive end to his tenure.
In his comments to reporters in The Hague, he indicated that he would eventually share details regarding his financial interests while also expressing concern over the detrimental impact of social media on politics. “The manner in which information circulates online is particularly harmful to the political landscape,” he remarked, adding that such behavior might dissuade qualified individuals from engaging in public service. “This is not how one should govern a nation,” he concluded.