I has a sad. :( Femke Halsema is leaving politics.
Sad sad news. The most beautiful woman (and total BAMF) in Dutch politics, Femke Halsema, party leader of the Green Left, has announced she will not return to parliament after Christmas.
Femke had already declared that she intended to give up her position as party leader, which she has held for the maximum period of 8 years, after the disappointing creation of a right wing coalition. But no one quite expected she would resign so suddenly and stop being an MP as well. :(
Article in Dutch: http://nos.nl/artikel/205866-femke-halsema-mijn-werk-zit-erop.html
Video of her announcement: http://nos.nl/l/tcm:5-863929/ (have a look even if you don't speak Dutch, she looks gorgeous today <3)
Quick description of the announcement: She talks about the turbulence in Dutch politics in the last 10 years and the negative influence of populism. She also says that liberalism has been her guideline and stressed the importance of freedom of speech. She urges liberal, progressive and left-wing parties to work together. She praises her successor.
I will miss her. A picspam to look back on her beautiful years in parliament seems appropriate.
click for larger version
She'll be succeeded by Jolanda Sap.
The 47 year old Jolanda has only been an MP for 2 years and is a specialist in economics. She has a lot in common with Femke: another feminist, another unmarried woman living with her partner and 2 kids, and I for one think she´s also quite BAMFy. (but not as stunningly beautiful. Oh Femke....)
Her announcement about succeeding Femke: http://nos.nl/video/205926-toespraak-jolande-sap-groenlinks-over-opvolgen-femke-halsema.html