DutchNews.nl - Labour leader Bos quits, Cohen steps up

Wouter Bos is standing down as leader of the Labour party, leaving Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen as his apparent heir.

Bos told a surprise news conference on Friday morning he is to leave the party for personal reasons.

'As the father of young children, I have other responsibilities,' Bos said. Job Cohen would be the 'best possible successor', Bos said. 'The PvdA would be in good hands with him.'

The two had first discussed Bos's possible resignation in 2007, he told reporters.

'It is a brave decision but a very big loss for the party and the country,' said former home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst. 'The scandal is all those men who do not see their children growing up.'

Cohen announced at a news conference on Friday afternoon he is stepping down as the capital's mayor with immediate effect and is ready to lead the party's campaign into the June 9 general election.

He has been mayor of the capital since 2001. His duties will be taken over by deputy mayor Lodewijk Asscher pending the appointment of a new mayor.

Cohen still has to be formally elected campaign leader by the Labour party itself.

Former education minister Ronald Plasterk said Cohen would be a bonus for the Netherlands. 'He is wise, has authority and a lot of experience,' Plasterk said.

Geert Wilders, who said last week the general election would be a battle between himself and Bos, said the Labour leader was 'throwing his towel in very quickly'.

'The PvdA is going back to the 1990s by bringing back tea-drinking multiculti-cuddler Cohen,' Wilders said.

Surprise

Nos tv political commentator Ferry Mingelen said the news of Bos's resignation was 'completely unexpected'.

'If there is one person who can lead the Labour party at this time it is Cohen,' he said, referring to Cohen's reputaton for bridge-building.

Cohen was named one of Time magazine's European heros in 2005 for the way he defused racial tensions following the murder of film maker Theo van Gogh.

In addition, Cohen 'could also ease the way toward cooperation with the CDA', Mingelen said. Commentators had said it would have been very difficult for Bos to work with the CDA after he pulled Labour out of the government.

Eurlings

Bos's resignation follows the shock decision of Christian Democrat transport minister Camiel Eurlings to stand down in order to raise a family. Eurlings was seen by many as the next CDA leader.

And last week, Socialist Party leader Agnes Kant resigned following her party's poor showing in the local elections.

After Wouter Bos enjoys quiet time with his family, I am sure somewhere down the road he will be back in politics.

By sandraV | March 12, 2010 10:34 AM

Looks like PVV is getting lucky...

By crispy | March 12, 2010 11:20 AM

Once a politician, always a politician. They always come back.

By sandraV | March 12, 2010 11:36 AM

This man was so good in politics.So Jammer for the Netherland.

By Dina | March 12, 2010 12:26 PM

Maybe all these politicians realise their participation is futile and that the NL is ungovernable with having to form complex coalitions. Like Belgium, NL is paralysed

By Michael | March 12, 2010 3:34 PM

I think it is not only family matters that made him quit. He is fed up with Balkenende and did not look forward having to fight that crazy Wilders.

By Leo | March 12, 2010 4:24 PM

I don't like or dislike Bos, but lost a lot of respect in him for bowing out in this way.

What is it here that when politics go bad they all suddenly want to become family men? Why not be honest and admit the country is in a shambles and that it's better to step aside for someone else?

By Quest | March 12, 2010 4:46 PM

I have to say I'm glad to see the back of Bos. Bos was more concerned with his own legacy than with anything else and he probably realizes that he has painted himself into a corner and that there is nowhere for 'him' to go now. So he's cutting and running. Cohen is a good choice; he has courage and he's principled. He does however have his work cut out for him as there are no bridges that anyone has come up with that can reach that Wilders creature.

By Ferdia | March 12, 2010 4:49 PM

I can't wait for an underground metro from Groningen to Maastricht now!

By James | March 13, 2010 1:50 AM

I think Cohen is a good man. But there is something underground going on.

By Mehmood | March 13, 2010 5:45 AM

if asscher becomes mayor amsterdam will become disneydam, no more coffeeshops or redlight district

By mr. haze | March 13, 2010 10:00 AM

The ghost of Pin Fortyun is embeded into this Bos guy!

By holan | March 13, 2010 1:49 PM

Why are so many quitting politics all of a sudden?
Especially as they had futures in politics.

There has got to be BIG 'problems' up ahead.

Deserting a sinking ship?