D66 puts forward Rianne Letschert as new informant
The Hague coalition formation game is taking an academic turn: D66 is nominating Rianne Letschert, chair of the Maastricht University board, as its new informateur. If all goes according to plan, she will soon chair the next round of talks between D66 leader Rob Jetten, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal, and VVD parliamentary group leader Dilan Yesilgöz.
But we’re not there yet. First, this afternoon’s parliamentary debate on the final report of the current informateur, Sybrand Buma (CDA), awaits. His conclusion was not exactly encouraging: at this point, there are no realistic chances of a majority government. The VVD is keeping the door firmly closed to GroenLinks-PvdA, while D66 is not keen on collaborating with JA21. After weeks of probing, pushing, and pulling back, the political space seems to have shrunk rather than grown.
Nevertheless, D66 is taking the next step. The party will formally propose to Parliament again to proceed to the next phase of the coalition formation, this time with Rianne Letschert at the helm. A parliamentary majority seems to be in favor of this, although the PVV and GroenLinks-PvdA will most likely vote against it.
If Parliament approves, Letschert can begin work quickly. The VVD will then join the substantive discussions to discuss the joint document from Bontenbal and Jetten – the ‘positive agenda.’
Tilburg career
Letschert’s career is firmly rooted in Tilburg. In 2005, she received her PhD from Tilburg University and became director of INTERVICT, the International Victimology Institute Tilburg. Her career took off: in 2012, she was appointed professor of international law and victimology, and a year later, she became a member of The Young Academy.
Tilburg remained her academic home until 2016, when she moved to Maastricht, where she became the youngest female rector magnificus ever in the Netherlands. In 2019, based on her innovative leadership as rector, she was named Top Woman of the Year. On November 1, 2021, she succeeded Martin Paul as president of the Executive Board of Maastricht University.
Political games
With her appointment as informateur, a chapter in The Hague has now been added, albeit temporarily for now. Univers spoke with the then 35-year-old Letschert in 2012. She immediately made it clear that she has no interest in political games. ‘I simply don’t play them,’ she stated. ‘All that scheming could be a reason for me to leave at some point. As if we’re The Hague here – we have to keep acting somewhat normally. I’m convinced that you can achieve much more with integrity and integrity.’
Now that she herself is stepping onto the Hague stage as a potential informant, that statement takes on new meaning. The coming weeks will reveal whether her pronounced belief in openness and integrity holds up in an arena that revolves around strategic moves. It will also become clear whether that very attitude helps her bring the parties closer together.
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