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Prime- Minister Kok faces tough
choice
Amsterdam, July 11, 2001.
The Dutch Prime- Minister Wim Kok has to make a difficult choice this summer.
Will he go on as party leader of the PvdA (the social- democratic party) or will he step down to hand over the leadership to the PvdA leader in parliament Ad Melkert.
Earlier this year he promised to announce his decision in august or september.
In an interview with the Financial Times he stated yesterday that it is not his style to run an election, start a new coalition and depart after two years to become President of the European Commission.
Wim Kok served as finance minister before becoming the first prime- minister in 20th century Dutch parliamentary history of a cabinet without the Christian Democrats.
Instead he formed in 1994 a coalition with the Conservative Liberal Party (VVD) of Frits Bolkestein and the reformist Liberal Democrats (D66) of Hans van Mierlo.
This so called "Purple" coalition served two successful terms of four years.
In the European Union he is one of the more experienced leaders. He has a reputation of building bridges in the complicated policy making of the European Council.
German Bundeskansler Schroeder openly called on Wim Kok recently not to resign as prime- minister.
He is seen as a strong candidate for the post of President of the European Commission when Romano Prodi steps down in two years time.
The consequence of his statement in the Financial Times is that, If he chooses to serve another term in office after the 2002 general elections he will not be able to succeed Romano Prodi.
If he chooses instead to step down as party leader the PvdA will almost certainly loose a lot of votes.
His 'crown prince' Ad Melkert is not very popular among the Dutch electorate. Besides, Melkert might , as former Social Affairs Minister, be entangled in a fraud scandal over European social funds.
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