PvdA MP Gijs van Dijk, who gave up his parliamentary mandate in February after allegations of irregular behavior, wants to return to the House of Representatives. Versus one today He says the way is clear for a return after the party’s appeals committee lifted sanctions against him this week.

“Yes, I want to go back,” says Van Dijk. Preferably in the Labor Party. “I really want us to resolve this conflict. And that I can once again represent social democracy with body and soul, as I have always done. That’s what I’m on the list for, that’s what I was elected for. And I’d love to do that.”

Party leader Esther-Mirjam Sent said yesterday it was “unlikely” that Van Dijk would return to the House of Representatives group. Although the sanctions have been lifted, she believes the conclusions of the investigative report on the case remain essentially intact.

Official warning

The agency that conducted the investigation concluded that it was “plausible” that reporters might feel improperly treated and/or unwanted. Van Dijk is said to have “created false expectations in relationships”. As punishment, he received an official reprimand. The PvdA considered it undesirable that he would continue to hold public office for the party for the next four years.

The content of the investigation was never shared with the appeals committee because, according to the PvdA, it had been agreed that it would remain confidential. The appeals committee could then only lift the sanctions.

one man faction

After former Speaker of the House Khadija Arib, who was also in the PvdA faction, announced her resignation from the House of Representatives, a return of Van Dijk is possible. If he is not accepted by the PvdA, he can also return as a one-man faction.

Although MPs are elected on behalf of a list or party, the seat belongs to them personally. “I’m not ruling out the Van Dijk Group, but they have absolutely no preference,” said Van Dijk one today.