NSC’s executive committee has endorsed social affairs minister Eddy van Hijum as the party’s next leader following Nicolien van Vroonhoven’s decision to step down before the election in October.
Party chairman Kilian Wawoe said Van Hijum, NSC’s deputy prime minister in Dick Schoof’s caretaker cabinet, stood for “unity, reliability and leadership” in a polarised political climate.
But the 53-year-old is likely to face a leadership challenge from Diederik Boomsma, the party’s spokesman on issues including defence, asylum and Europe, who threw his hat into the ring last week.
The executive committee will announce on Friday if a leadership contest is needed once applications close on Thursday. NSC advertised the position openly on Saturday, but it is expected to be a straight fight between Van Hijum and Boomsma.
Commentators have speculated that the rivalry between the two could split the party, which is currently predicted to lose nearly all its 20 seats in the general election in October.
Van Hijum is said to be the preferred candidate of party founder Pieter Omtzigt, who quit politics last month after struggling with burnout symptoms for several years.
“Unbelievable”
His successor, Van Vroonhoven, gave an interview to Trouw at the weekend in which she was critical of Boomsma, saying “in my eyes he does not represent the average NSC ideology.”
Boomsma, 47, said last week he believed NSC should pursue a “socially conservative” policy programme, including “respect for our culture” and “less migration”, but insisted that he stood for a “more humane and just” asylum system.
He was clearly piqued by Van Vroonhoven’s criticism, calling it “unbelievable”. “I have so much support, everyone who has approached me is full of enthusiasm about my candidacy. It’s heartwarming to see and gives me tremendous energy to keep going.”
One anonymous insider told NOS they feared the leadership contest could become a bitter struggle and even end up driving Boomsma out of the party to form a breakaway group. Like many NSC members, Boomsma and Van Hijum started their political careers with the Christian Democrats (CDA).
“I hope Eddy and Diederik become a team,” another insider was quoted as saying. “We badly need them both.”
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