BRUSSELS - An accusation of abuse of power and bullying by D66 Member of the European Parliament Samira Rafaela has led to a split with her party colleague Sophie in 't Veld. Both sit for D66 in the European Parliament. Three former employees have complained to the party's integrity committee, which upheld their complaints, sources confirm after publication by the Dutch news site NRC.
Rafaela would not agree with the conclusions and, according to NRC, threatens to leave the party. The issue thus far kept private was to be discussed on Sunday. The members therefore talk about cross-border behavior by D66 prominent Frans van Drimmelen.
Rafaela's bad relationship with some of her employees has led to the rift between her and In 't Veld, insiders say. In 't Veld helped Rafaela in 2019 to get into the European Parliament with preferential votes, but the two then hardly got together.
Rafaela has now officially terminated the collaboration. As a result, staff can no longer be shared and an employee was forced to leave. Rafaela and In 't Veld are the only two members of the D66 delegation in the European Parliament.