Revolving door ban, mandatory advice seeking and lobbying ban for former ministers | Politics

Up to two years after their departure, retired ministers and state secretaries must request advice about a new position before accepting it.

The bill is from outgoing Minister of the Interior Hugo de Jonge. He emphasizes that this is advice, but assumes that ministers will follow this. “As a former minister, you are of course wise to do so. But they remain responsible for the choices they make. It remains advice.”

There will also be a revolving door ban. This means that (former) ministers are not allowed to join their former ministry for two years. They are also not allowed to accept paid, commercial assignments from their former ministry. This ban also applies to related policy areas at other ministries.

In addition, the existing lobbying ban will be laid down in law. This prohibition means that former ministers may not have business contacts with officials of their former ministry after their departure, if he or she has a position in the private or semi-public sector.

According to De Jonge, this all provides clarity to society and ministers. “It is very nice when people from business or science take the step to become ministers,” says the minister. “But if there’s any doubt about what this person can do next in his or her career, that doesn’t help recruit the best people for the job.”