State Secretary Dekker to account for alleged nepotism

After the Senate will now also a large part of the opposition in the House to know if there is nepotism and whether the appointment is lawful.

It involves VVD Bruno Bruins, who since January 1 Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO). However Bruins is also Chairman of benefits agency UWV. According to the opposition parties that conflict with the Media Act, which states that a position in the Supervisory Board 'incompatible' with a job at a company that falls under the responsibility of a minister. In its own report states that the UWV under the responsibility of Minister Lodewijk Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment.

"Completely legitimate '
An interesting detail is that the Bruins had VVD alderman in The Hague, when Dekker was leader of the VVD in that city. Dekker said last Friday after the cabinet meeting that he appoint Bruins' checked and gedubbelcheckt "and that he even allowed the country lawyer watching. According to him, the appointment "absolutely legitimate."

Yet SP, CDA, D66, Christian Union, the Party for the Animals and 50PLUS asked parliamentary questions last night about the recent appointments to the NPO. They also want to know whether Dekker is ready to reverse the appointment and start a new procedure. A spokesman for the Secretary of State has announced in answering these questions again carefully will look at the appointments.

Media Law
In the treatment of the Media Act in the Senate came to be appointments made by Dekker under a magnifying glass. Besides Bruins put some groups also questioned the appointment of the Amsterdam VVD alderman Eric van der Burg as chairman of the NTR and the appointment of Clemens Cornielje, former VVD MP and Commissioner of the King in Gelderland, in committee who had to select a new chairman of the Supervisory Board of the NPO.

During the debate Dekker suggested that a list of candidates for the presidency of the NTR candidates of different political colors which he stood "for various reasons" did not fit. "When I asked if they wanted to do their homework again," said Dekker. That implies too much interference of the MPs of the opposition.

The debate in the Senate on March 1 goes further. Then have the answers to the questions from the House inside.

Bron: http://www.parool.nl/ DOOR: HANNEKE KEULTJES/  Foto: ANP