Leader of CDA since 2024
Part of: Dutch Politics
Henri Bontenbal is the leader of CDA (Christen-Democratisch Appèl), elected to the position in 2024. He is a member of the Tweede Kamer and the public face of CDA's attempt to rebuild after years of electoral decline.
In May 2026 he appeared on talk show Vandaag Inside where presenter Jort Kelder challenged him sharply on the government's failure to pass asylum legislation despite asylum policy dominating multiple election cycles. Bontenbal defended the coalition's progress; Kelder was unconvinced.
Bontenbal leads a party in coalition government (PVV, VVD, CDA, NSC — the Schoof cabinet) while trying to differentiate CDA from the harder line of coalition partner PVV on migration. A difficult balance.
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