Weekers challenges Adriaansens for VVD Senate leadership

Frans Weekers, a former VVD MP and junior minister for Taxes in the first two Rutte cabinets, has put himself forward to lead the VVD group in the Eerste Kamer, the Senate. The party board had already nominated former minister Micky Adriaansens. Weekers says he wants to return when the new Senate takes office in June.

Weekers argues that no party, including PRO, should be excluded from cooperation. He says his candidacy is not criticism of party leader Dilan Yesilgöz, but that as Senate group leader he would attend the weekly meeting with the party leadership and help advise on the party's course. "That course has become diluted. Members are leaving," he says.

Several party figures back him, among them Johan Remkes, Halbe Zijlstra, Fred Teeven, Jan van Zanen and Ankie Broekers-Knol. They disagree on what the course should be. Teeven thinks the VVD has moved too far left. "When I get out and about in the country, people say: is the VVD still the party for business owners?" he says.

Former minister Ed Nijpels says discontent has existed among members for years. "The direction is set by just a handful of people. That really has to change," he says.

VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans says anyone is free to put themselves forward. Former minister Henk Kamp questions whether there really is too little discussion within the party.