caroline van der plas stepped down as bbb leader amid looming threats to farmers
Den Haag, vrijdag, 20 februari 2026.
Caroline van der Plas steps down as leader of the BoerBurgerBeweging. She hands power to Henk Vermeer, the party’s strategist and co-founder. This marks a turning point after five turbulent years. Van der Plas stays in the Tweede Kamer. She now focuses solely on farming, fishing and horticulture issues. Her warning stands out: dark clouds loom over farmers, fishermen and growers. Support for the party dropped sharply after joining kabinet-Schoof. Internal unrest grew. Vermeer now leads the group into a new era. The shift comes three days before kabinet-Jetten takes office. Rural voices brace for impact.
leadership change at bbb as van der plas steps down
Caroline van der Plas has stepped down as leader and parliamentary head of the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) effective immediately. She hands over leadership to Henk Vermeer, the party’s co-founder and former campaign director. Van der Plas remains a member of the Tweede Kamer, focusing exclusively on agriculture, fisheries, and horticulture policy. Her decision marks the end of five years at the helm of the party she helped establish in 2019 [1][2][3].
internal tensions and electoral decline shape succession
The leadership transition follows growing internal dissent within BBB after a significant drop in voter support. Following participation in kabinet-Schoof, the party lost ground in national elections, falling from seven to four seats [4][5]. Discontent arose over perceived shifts toward right-wing politics and compromises on agricultural policy. Two senators previously left for D66, reflecting broader unease among members about the party’s direction [5][6].
vermeer assumes command ahead of new government
Henk Vermeer officially takes over as party and parliamentary leader three days before the installation of kabinet-Jetten on February 24, 2026 [1][3]. As a central figure in coalition negotiations under kabinet-Schoof, Vermeer is well-positioned to steer the party through upcoming legislative debates [5][6]. His stated priorities include neighborhood solidarity, common sense governance, and socially conservative policies [5].
van der plas warns of threats to rural communities
Van der Plas issued a stark warning regarding the incoming government’s policies, stating that “dark clouds are approaching farmers, fishermen, and growers” [1][3][5]. Freed from leadership duties, she intends to amplify rural concerns in parliament without the administrative burdens of party management. She made the decision to step back during the summer of 2025, citing the need for a new chapter for BBB [2][4][6].