Can the new ‘informateur’ Letschert cut the Gordian knot?
In the media image: Martijn Vonk on Unsplash
Rianne Letschert, President of Maastricht University, will lead the next coalition negotiations to form a new Dutch government. Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional Law, spoke on late-night talkshow Pauw & De Wit about the newly appointed ‘informateur’.
Despite the ‘outsider’ status of Mariëtte Letschert in The Hague political arena, the House of Representatives agreed to her appointment. She has an impressive track record: for example, she chairs the Advisory Committee of the National Growth Fund, with which the Dutch government is investing €11 billion in various infrastructure projects; is a former rector magnificus – the youngest ever – of Maastricht University; and was named ‘Outstanding Female Leader of the Year’ in 2019. She is known for being a warm, committed administrator and an independent thinker. Her task is to form a cabinet that can rely on a majority in the House of Representatives.
Professor Voermans sees Letschert as a breath of fresh air in The Hague. She is an 'outstanding administrator, a people person, and a contemporary of Bontenbal and Jetten', as well as a fearless ‘go-getter’. He adds that she is capable of coming up with creative solutions to get the parties moving. Following municipal elections in Maastricht in 2018, she managed to steer difficult negotiation talks between no fewer than six coalition parties (of the 13 factions in the council) in the right direction.
‘A minority cabinet will be difficult. It has not succeeded since 1939, but I think she’s capable of forging something original.' Moreover, Voermans sees her as a potential candidate to lead the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. 'Speaking for my sector, I’d say she’d make an excellent candidate.'
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Watch the Pauw & De Wit broadcast (in Dutch)