Last active NSC politician quits over party’s direction towards Keijzer
MEP Dirk Gotink resigns his party membership over the rapprochement with Mona Keijzer.
NSC has lost its last active elected representative. MEP Dirk Gotink is leaving the party because he does not want to cooperate in the political rapprochement with Mona Keijzer, who has been invited to an NSC gathering as an independent MP.
Gotink announced his departure on Wednesday. According to a statement distributed by ANP, he sees no future for himself in a party seeking a new political start with Keijzer. On Saturday, she will speak about her political plans at an NSC members’ meeting in Breda.
The split means that NSC no longer has an active elected parliamentarian who is a party member. Gotink will remain an MEP, but after his departure he will no longer act on behalf of NSC. In the European Parliament, he was part of the European People’s Party group, the Christian Democratic group.
Gotink and Keijzer know each other from their time in the CDA. Earlier this year, Keijzer left the BBB and continued as an independent MP. She is now working on a new right-conservative movement. The NSC board has invited her to explain it at the party congress.
For NSC, the departure is another blow after a rapid political decline. The party was founded in 2023 by Pieter Omtzigt and joined the Schoof cabinet after the elections. Following Omtzigt’s departure and the loss of seats in the Lower House, the party is working to redefine its position.
The heart of the conflict is not only Keijzer’s presence, but also the direction in which NSC wants to develop. Gotink says that, in his view, her political course differs sharply from the course he chose NSC for. The party board has not yet publicly explained what form of cooperation or organisational future it has in mind.
It therefore remains uncertain whether the meeting with Keijzer is intended as a one-off exchange of views or as preparation for broader cooperation. For NSC, the main question is whether the party wants to continue independently or seek to join a new right-wing bloc.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Dirk Gotink is leaving NSC because of the rapprochement with Mona Keijzer.
- Keijzer has been invited to speak about her political plans at an NSC gathering.
- Gotink will remain an MEP, but no longer as an NSC member.
Left
Arguments A party that focuses on right-conservative cooperation risks allowing the rule of law and social principles to be overshadowed by an urge for electoral survival.
Values The rule of law, administrative reliability, inclusiveness and substantive consistency.
Consequences A further shift to the right could attract voters, but also cost the party moderate members and credibility.
Centre
Arguments NSC should first make clear what it stands for and then hold open talks with politicians who share substantive common ground, without promising a merger or change of course in advance.
Values Institutional continuity, transparency and administrative prudence.
Consequences A controlled reorientation could give the party time, but uncertainty could further erode the remaining trust.
Right
Arguments A party seeking to become relevant again must appeal to voters who want tougher positions on migration and security. Keijzer could provide a recognisable face for this.
Values Political recognisability, national control and decisiveness.
Consequences Cooperation could give NSC a new support base, but could also lead to competition or its absorption into a larger right-wing alliance.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The core facts have been confirmed by ANP and official parliamentary sources. The analysis of the possible political direction has been framed as uncertain.
- confirmed Dirk Gotink has resigned his NSC membership. — Confirmed by the ANP report on his departure. source
- confirmed Mona Keijzer has been invited to an NSC gathering in Breda. — Mentioned in the ANP report. source
- confirmed Gotink will remain an MEP after leaving NSC. — His official profile lists his seat in the European Parliament. source
Editor's note
Gotink’s departure and the invitation to Keijzer have been confirmed. The precise future cooperation between NSC and Keijzer is not yet known.Sources
- Europarlementariër weg bij NSC om aanwezigheid Keijzer bij congres — ANP via Zeelandnet
- Dirk Gotink — Europees Parlement
- Mona Keijzer verlaat BBB en gaat als zelfstandig Kamerlid verder — NOS
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „nsc dirk gotink”
- NU.nl — „nsc dirk gotink”
- De Telegraaf — „nsc dirk gotink”