Omtzigt Steps Down Amid Applause and Anxiety as NSC Faces Uncertain Future

The members of NSC said a bit of farewell to founder Pieter Omtzigt. Van Vroonhoven is now party leader.

Omtzigt steps down amid applause and anxiety as NSC faces uncertain future

As Pieter Omtzigt officially stepped down Saturday as leader of Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC), his party gave him a warm farewell—but under a cloud of growing doubt about its future. Despite enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation at the party congress in Arnhem, many members openly questioned whether NSC can survive without its founder at the helm, according to AD.

New Social Contract (NSC) must stand up harder for its own ideals. That is what Nicolien van Vroonhoven said on Saturday at the members' congress in Arnhem, where figurehead Pieter Omtzigt was also bid farewell. "We will have to change certain things."