Politicians are failing to address the real problems facing the Netherlands, and the current political climate is “poisonous”, Pieter Omtzigt, founder of the NSC, said on Tuesday as he bowed out of politics after almost 22 years.

Omtzigt announced last month that he would step down, citing ongoing health issues and a desire to spend more time with his family. He has twice taken temporary leave from parliament due to a burnout.

Omtzigt, one of the key architects of the current right-wing government, told a press conference in The Hague that issues such as chaos at the social benefits agency UWV and the childcare benefit scandal are being ignored, while politicians focus on blowing minor issues out of proportion.

He said the toxic political atmosphere had contributed to his decision to leave parliament and step down as leader of the party he founded.

Participating in the coalition alongside the far right PVV, the pro-farmer BBB and right-wing liberal VVD had also contributed to his decision. Nevertheless, he declined to say he regretted the decision to join the coalition. “I knew it would be difficult and it was,” he said.

Omtzigt will deliver a farewell speech in parliament later.