Statement on the withdrawal of my candidacy for the European elections 2019 - Hoofdinhoud

Dear Liberals, dear Democrats, dear friends,

I have learned which place the D66 nominating committee for the electoral list will give me in their recommendation on the list for the European elections in 2019. The recommendation is drawn up under the authority of the leader of the D66-list for the European elections and the party chair in the Netherlands. As most of you know, I wanted to continue to serve in the European Parliament for five more years after the elections in 2019.

To my great surprise, I have not at all been proposed as a possible candidate for the European Parliament beyond 2019. Apparently, a place amongst the top 30 candidates was not something they wanted to grant me, as current Member of European Parliament. The nominating committee feels like I have not deserved a place on the ballot.

The reason? The leader of the D66-delegation in the European Parliament does not want to continue working with me.

This way, it becomes practically impossible for D66’s members to endorse me. I do not think that befits the democratic tradition of our political party, DEMOCRATS 66.

It is disappointing to see that the current delegation leader is not able to work in a collaborative way and that she does not cope well with being contradicted. Resentment is no good basis for a positive electoral campaign.

I have therefore withdrawn my candidacy to be on the list for the upcoming European elections. This means I will not return as a D66 Member of European Parliament after the current mandate.

These last months of my mandate, I want to continue to do justice to the 16 698 voters who have given me their support in 2014. I will continue to fight for a stronger Netherlands in a stronger Europe.

All the best.

Matthijs van Miltenburg

Member of European Parliament