Moroccan-Dutch State Secretary resigns over racist comments linked to Amsterdam

Dutch Finance State Secretary of Moroccan origin submitted her resignation to the king on Friday, following escalating tensions within the Dutch government over debates on integration, sparked by the events surrounding the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.

According to informed sources who spoke to Hespress AR, Achahbar was dissatisfied with comments made by some of her colleagues regarding the incident, which she described as racist.

Achahbar’s resignation marks the second departure from the ruling party in the government in a short period, increasing pressure on the governing coalition.

Reports indicate that intensive discussions are currently taking place at the government headquarters in The Hague, where each coalition party is holding separate meetings to determine its stance on the deepening crisis.

Sources revealed that Achbar attended the Cabinet meeting in The Hague earlier today, where she announced her intention to resign. While the positions of other members of the “NSC” party in the government remain unclear, some insiders suggest that further departures could be imminent.

Achbar is expected to provide additional clarifications regarding her resignation in a press conference at the Ministry of Finance.

Achahbar, of Moroccan descent, was born in Morocco before moving to the Netherlands, where she pursued an illustrious career in law.

She held various positions, including public prosecutor, lawyer, and substitute judge. She joined the government last July after a successful legal career.

Her resignation comes just weeks after the resignation of her party colleague, Volkert Eedsinga, who stepped down following criticism over his involvement in a controversial stock deal. The departure of these two figures has added further pressure on a government already facing criticism over its internal performance.

In a comment on the resignation, opposition leader Frans Timmermans praised Achahbar’s decision, calling it “entirely justified,” and noting that “racist remarks have become a recurring issue within this ruling coalition.”