ANPPVV MP Martin Bosma will become the new chairman of the House of Representatives
NOS News•today, 7:04 PM•Adjusted today, 7:59 PM
The House of Representatives has elected Martin Bosma as its new chairman. PVV MP Bosma received 75 of the valid votes. He thus defeated his opponent Tom van der Lee of GroenLinks-PvdA, who received 66 votes. VVD MP Roelien Kamminga, the acting chairman, received 5 votes. She had not put herself forward as a candidate.
Two rounds of voting were required. There was no winner in the first round of voting. In the second round there were 146 valid votes. The winner needed at least 74 votes. Bosma won with 75 votes. He had already tried twice – in 2016 and 2021 – to get this position.
Written and secret
The vote was written and secret. All MPs made their own choice and put a note with a name in a box. After the vote, Bosma immediately took over the gavel from temporary House Speaker Roelien Kamminga (VVD).
During a short speech, Bosma thanked the PVV MPs and especially PVV leader Wilders, who paid a “high price” for expressing his opinion, Bosma said, referring to the heavy security of the party leader.
He also said that there should still be something to laugh about in the House of Representatives. “Let’s have a little fun together, besides all the serious things we have to do.” He then concluded by reading a poem by Gerard Reve, Day closing titled.
Watch two videos about Bosma’s election here
Debate with candidates
Prior to the election, there was a debate with the House of Representatives. Bosma in particular received many critical questions because his party has often spoken negatively about parliament, the judiciary and journalism, among other things.
Bosma emphasized that he will be a neutral chairman who will give all parties space. He distanced himself from an earlier comment by his PVV leader Wilders. “I don’t think it’s a fake parliament.”
In an interview after his appointment, Bosma said that not much will change compared to his time as vice-chairman, a position he has held for years. “I was able to learn the art from four chairmen who were all very neutral. I was able to practice for almost 15 years.”
Ideologist
Martin Bosma (59), from the Zaan region, entered the House of Representatives in 2006 and belongs to the group within the PVV that is called “the old nine”: the first PVV members to enter the House. He was spokesperson for culture and media and secretary of the faction for a long time. Many see him as the party’s ideologue.
Before his political career, he studied political science and sociology and worked in journalism at various public and commercial broadcasters. He was also director of the multicultural radio station Colorful Radio.
2023-12-14 18:04:14
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