A controversial amendment passed by a narrow margin due to absenteeism and pairing failures in the House. The vote, which saw 72 votes in favor and 69 against, has sparked outrage and accusations of disrespect, particularly regarding the timing of the vote coinciding with a national commemoration.

The absence of several Members of Parliament (MPs) played a crucial role in the outcome. While parliamentary custom allows for “pairing” – where an absent MP from one side is paired with an absent MP from the opposing side to maintain the balance of power – this system faltered during the vote.

Several MPs were unable to find pairs, leading to an imbalance that favored the amendment’s proponents. Christine Teunissen of the Party for the Animals, who was attending a slavery commemoration in Amsterdam, expressed frustration at not being able to return in time and blamed proponents for refusing to postpone the vote.

The pairing of a GroenLinks-PvdA MP with an NSC member, both parties opposed to the amendment, proved ineffective. Accusations are being leveled at the left-wing parties, with NSC alleging that numerous absences due to the Ketikoti celebration made pairing impossible.

The amendment’s success highlights the impact of attendance and adherence to parliamentary customs in determining legislative outcomes. A similar vote on prioritizing status holders for social housing also passed with a 72-69 margin due to similar circumstances.