Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner already had his hands full with dealing with phantom citizens, who claim all kinds of benefits without actually being registered for tax or residence. Now, he is being asked to combat phantom politicians, who are being paid for work they don’t do.

Mr Donner has admitted to parliament that the work-shy politicians are “an undesirable phenomenon”. Since 2009, MPs have campaigned for members of local government who fail to do their jobs properly to face stiff sanctions. However, under present rules, they can only have their fees reduced by 20 percent.

Official estimates from 2007 say between 17 and 58 members of local and provincial government don’t fulfil the obligations that go with their jobs. No members of either the Dutch Lower House or Senate are accused of similar misdemeanours.

(mw)

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