The Dutch Secretary of State for Finance, Folkert Idsinga, has resigned, sources confirmed on Friday following a report by RTL Nieuws.
Idsinga, a member of the centrist Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) party, led by Pieter Omtzigt, faced criticism last week for refusing to disclose his business interests. A parliamentary majority gave him an ultimatum to reveal these interests by next Monday.
Idsinga reportedly has a total of €6 million invested in various companies, but he has refused to name the latter, calling it a “private matter,” according to RTL Nieuws. Critics are concerned that as Secretary of Finance, he could make decisions affecting the value of his stock portfolio.
The extreme right PVV party, which is a member of the ruling coalition, supported the opposition’s call for more transparency regarding Idsinga’s financial interests. Idsinga found this “unacceptable,” and stated in a letter to the House of Representatives that he has adhered to all the rules.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof believes the resignation was unnecessary, asserting that Idsinga had complied with all regulations. “You cannot reasonably ask more of a government official,” Schoof wrote in a statement. “I am saddened, and I have conveyed that to him.”
Idsinga is the first official from the Schoof government to step down.
