Deputies demand full disclosure of the 6 million euro portfolio of the Minister of the NSC Tax Service

Deputy Tax Minister Folkert Idsinga is under pressure to release details of his €6m investment portfolio after a majority of MPs backed calls for full disclosure.

Idsinga, a former VVD MP who joined Peter Omzigt’s NSC party last year, refused to reveal which companies he held shares and other financial interests in, saying it was a “private matter”.

On Tuesday, Geert Wilders, whose PVV party is the largest in the coalition, added his voice to those demanding disclosure of the minister’s financial affairs.

“To me, this does not look like good governance or a valid excuse,” Wilders wrote on social media X.

Wilders’ words were a direct reference to the NSC’s promise during the election campaign to create a more reliable, transparent system of government where MPs are more accountable to parliament.

The two coalition partners have been at odds for weeks over Wilders’ plans to use emergency powers to introduce tougher asylum rules, while the NSC wanted to pass the regular law through an accelerated procedure so parliament could scrutinize and vote on it. measures

Wilders last week refused the NS routewhich has faced strong opposition in the Senate and will almost certainly be challenged in the courts, but the measures themselves, such as border checks and the detention of non-asylum seekers, remain unchanged.

Conflict of interest?

Idsing, he discussed his interests during the formation of the cabinet and put his business “at arm’s length” when he accepted the position of Minister of Tax Affairs and Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).

“In concrete terms, this means that during my tenure I have no right or authority over (my investments) and that – where appropriate – other people have been authorized to exercise my voting rights,” he said.

But opposition parties, including GroenLinks-PvdA, D66 and the Socialist Party (SP), said Idsinga should make full disclosure of his financial assets to ensure there is no conflict of interest.

“Where is the good management of the NBK?” asked SP leader Jimmy Dake, adding that MPs should know whether a minister is making a decision in the national interest or in his own interest.

Idsinga said RTL Nieuwswho published an original story based on his financial holding company’s annual report that he supports government transparency.

“But there is such a thing as people’s private lives,” he said. “I’m doing my best to be as transparent as possible within the rules set out, and I don’t see why I have to go any further.”