Netherlands - July 2023

Sigrid Kaag, the first female Finance Minister of the Netherlands and leader of the D66 party, announced on 13 July that she is stepping down from both positions. In her farewell speech, she cited “hate, intimidation and threats” as the reasons for her decision, adding that the situation took a large toll on her family. Kaag has been the target of misogyny and her family has been the target of racism. According to a 2021 study by Utrecht University and De Groene Amsterdammer, Kaag receives the most hate messages among all female MPs in the Dutch Parliament, with 22 per cent of her incoming tweets being hateful in nature. Kaag hopes that her move to step down “does not discourage Dutch girls and women from entering politics.” Independent MP Liane den Haan also announced her departure from politics due to hate messages. Both resignations come in the aftermath of the Dutch government collapse on 8 July. 

Sources: Politico, De Groene Amsterdammer, Euractiv, EUROMIX Research Project