Dutch MP Resigns After CV Lies, Timing Secures Two Years of Parliamentary Severance
The Hague, 18 February 2026
Nathalie van Berkel’s strategic exit from Dutch parliament ensures maximum financial benefits despite career-ending scandal over educational qualifications she never completed.
From Rising Star to Political Pariah
The swift fall of Nathalie van Berkel demonstrates how quickly political fortunes can reverse in the Netherlands. Van Berkel, who was installed as a D66 member of parliament on 12 November 2025, had been earmarked as a rising talent within the party and selected for the prestigious role of State Secretary of Finance [1][4]. Her trajectory seemed assured until De Volkskrant published revelations on 16 February 2026 exposing significant discrepancies in her educational credentials [3][4]. The newspaper’s investigation revealed that van Berkel had falsely claimed to hold a master’s degree in public administration from Leiden University, when she had only completed a preliminary course at HBO level and never finished the admission process for the university programme [3][4][6]. These revelations triggered a cascade of events that would end both her ministerial ambitions and parliamentary career within 48 hours.
The Unraveling of Academic Claims
Van Berkel’s educational misrepresentations extended beyond a single qualification. Her CV incorrectly stated she had pursued a master’s in public administration at Leiden University between 2011 and 2013, when she had merely completed a propaedeutic phase at HBO level [4]. Additionally, she claimed to have studied law at Erasmus University Rotterdam, but never completed this programme either [5][8]. The falsifications weren’t limited to her LinkedIn profile – official government publications and an educational foundation where she served as supervisor incorrectly listed her as holding a doctoral degree [8]. When confronted by journalists, van Berkel provided varying explanations and updated her LinkedIn profile three times over four days, further undermining her credibility [4][6]. De Telegraaf reported that she had also provided inaccurate information to the General Administrative Service when securing her position at the UWV [5][6].
Strategic Timing Maximises Financial Benefits
Van Berkel’s decision to resign from parliament on 17 February 2026 proved financially astute, despite the circumstances [1][2][5]. Having been installed as an MP on 12 November 2025, she served for exactly 3 months and 5 days by the time of her resignation [1]. This timing is crucial because Dutch parliamentary rules stipulate that MPs serving less than three months receive only six months of severance pay, whilst those serving longer than three months qualify for a full two years of benefits [1]. The severance package is substantial: 8780 euros gross per month in the first year (80% of annual salary excluding holiday pay) and 7682 euros per month in the second year (70% of salary) [1]. These payments are reduced by any income from new employment, but the difference between six months and two years of coverage represents approximately 18 months of additional financial security worth over 140000 euros [1].
Coalition Formation Under Pressure
Van Berkel’s withdrawal creates additional complexity for formateur Rob Jetten, who must now find replacements for multiple key positions with the new cabinet scheduled for inauguration on 23 February 2026 [2][3][6]. Jetten acknowledged the time pressure, stating he hopes to identify a new Finance candidate ‘as quickly as possible’ [5]. The incident has prompted other prospective ministers to scrutinise their own credentials, with CDA’s Derk Boswijk, the intended State Secretary of Defence, confirming he double-checked his CV following van Berkel’s scandal [2]. For asylum seekers waiting in reception centres, these delays in government formation could prove significant. The new cabinet includes Bart van den Brink as Minister of Asylum and Migration, and any delays in finalising the ministerial team could postpone crucial policy decisions affecting asylum procedures and accommodation [2]. Van Berkel’s resignation statement emphasised that ‘the discussion that has arisen detracts from the important tasks this cabinet faces’, acknowledging how individual scandals can derail broader governmental priorities at a time when effective policy implementation is desperately needed [3][4][8].