Pieter Omtzigt has announced he is to quit national politics and step down as leader of the party he founded less than two years ago, Nieuw Sociaal Contract.
The 51-year-old MP said in a post on social media that politics had taken too high a toll on his personal health, after twice being forced to step back from the political scene in the last four years to recover from burnout.
“It was a huge honour and privilege to be a member of parliament for more than 21 years,”Omtzigt said. “But the toll has been quite high. That is why I choose to put my family and my own health first.
“Real recovery from my burnout is simply not possible in the current political climate in The Hague.”
His deputy, Nicolien van Vroonhoven, will take over the helm. Omtzigt said he has “full confidence” in her leadership.
Omtzigt had only returned to politics, part-time, in November after temporarily stepping away for two months on the advice of his doctor.
Omtzigt took an earlier break for health reasons in 2021, while still an MP for the Christian Democrats. During that period he also resigned from the party and continued as an independent until founding the NSC in August 2023.
Three months later, after briefly leading opinion polls, it took 13% of the vote in a general election, winning 20 seats and joining a four-party coalition headed by Geert Wilders’s far-right PVV.
Omtzigt received well-wishes from around The Hague. “The Hague loses an enthusiastic and passionate Member of Parliament, a true representative of the people. I thank him for his efforts and our cooperation in the past period,” Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof said on social media.
“Much respect Pieter for everything you have done for the Netherlands and for the cooperation. I wish you all the best,” Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV said.
Dilan Yesilgöz, leader of the VVD, another coalition partner, said: “Thank you for your co-operation, Pieter, and for everything you have done as an MP. I wish you all the best for the future.”
The New Social Contract party also praised its leader’s work: “Pieter achieved one of the biggest victories ever in Dutch politics in 2023. NSC entered the House of Representatives with 20 seats.
“He thus proved how much the Netherlands needs a party that is committed to security of existence and good governance and politicians who work for people with empathy and involvement,” the party said in a statement.
