Volt was in her right when she expelled MP Nilüfer Gündogan from the group. This is evident from the appeal that was filed on Tuesday before the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam. The political party Gündogan also does not have to pay compensation.
Gündogan was expelled from the group in March last year by party leader Laurens Dassen and Volt MP Marieke Koekkoek after reports of transgressive behaviour. The former Volt Member of Parliament is said to have been guilty of intimidation, physical assault and making other sexual advances, according to thirteen reporters within the party.
The MP did not agree and went to court. He agreed with her and ruled that the Member of Parliament could return to Volt.
The court has struck down that ruling. Gundogan had previously announced that she did not want to return to the Volt faction. She also repeated this during the appeal. “Therefore, at this time, it no longer has an interest in its claims to have the suspension and termination reversed,” the court said.
Still no compensation for Gundogan
Volt was also previously ordered to pay damages to Gündogan, because she allegedly suffered damage to her image due to the press releases that the party had sent. Volt wrote, among other things, that they had suspended the MP because of “some reports that indicate transgressive behavior”.
The court states that the messages have a “slightly premature character” and that the words are “not fortunate in all respects”. Nevertheless, according to the court, the press releases do reflect what was known about the situation at that time. Therefore, the party does not have to pay any compensation to Gündogan.
The MP had also reported defamation and slander, but the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced in July that it would not investigate this. Too many witnesses had to be heard for an investigation and the Public Prosecution Service had no capacity for that.
