The outgoing prime minister does leave room for filling in the controversial double role in the future.
The House is debating the appointment of three State Secretaries who joined the outgoing cabinet, but at the same time remained members of the House of Representatives. The cabinet thought that was possible, but has changed its mind after advice from the Council of State and voices from the House, Rutte said.
‘Unfortunately’
The Council of State wrote in an advisory report that the appointments are ‘unfortunate from a constitutional point of view’. The House is also unanimous that it is not good for ministers to sit in parliament and thus have to control the cabinet they are in.
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Rutte did not rule out the possibility that MPs will be asked to become outgoing ministers or state secretary, but he will then insist that they resign their membership of parliament.
He also did not rule out the possibility that cabinets and MPs will look at the issue differently in the future. Then it must be reconsidered, according to the Prime Minister.
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