The arrogance after winning 22.7% of the vote (34 seats out of 150). Sure the VVD is the largest, but in recent weeks Rutte lost 10 seats. Most important is whether Sigrid Kaag and Wopke Hoekstra will show backbone. The vote of no-confidence was principled whether is was constitutional to dismiss a caretaker Prime Minister who had functioned as the party leaders of the VVD in these talks with scouts. The so-called Opinion polls of EenVandaag have very limited scientific base, and may turn around in a fortnight. Interesting that the CDA have found a new (temporary) chairman in Marnix van Rij. See his quarrel with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in 2001. Christian Democrats have tried policy as Conservatives Lite (VVD Lite) and lost their electorate.

In 2001 competed with De Hoop Scheffer about the party leadership of the CDA. The CDA did structurally poorly in 2001 in the polls (approx. 25 seats). Many members of the party had lost faith in De Hoop Scheffer. After both De Rij and De Hoop Scheffer had withdrawn from that battle, Jan Pieter Balkenende eventually emerged as leader.

Both Marnix and Jaap had the ambition to become PM of the Netherlands ...

'Sapere aude'