Jeroen Dijsselbloem

Dijsselbloem nationalised SNS Reaal in February 2013 and proposed zero compensation for holders of expropriated securities. The Enterprise Chamber rejected this approach and, after years of proceedings, set the total compensation at approximately 804.81 million euros.

State of the evidence

Nationalisation, zero compensation offer and court decisions documented

Legal status — source text

Ondernemingskamer: compensation ultimately set at approximately €804.81 million in 2021, plus interest

Attribution

Direct responsibility as finance minister who decided on nationalisation and defended the initial offer

Dijsselbloem stated that one could not spend all one's money 'on alcohol and women' and then ask others for solidarity. His remarks, associated in the debate with southern European countries, were described as sexist, racist and xenophobic and prompted calls for his resignation.

State of the evidence

Remarks, reactions and letter of clarification documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Negotiations in 2015 between the new Greek government and the Eurogroup quickly deteriorated. During a February meeting, Dijsselbloem and Yanis Varoufakis reportedly accused one another of lying and experienced a moment of physical tension requiring Pierre Moscovici to intervene.

State of the evidence

Confrontation reported by several participants and media outlets

Attribution

Directly implicated

After Alexis Tsipras decided to hold a referendum on creditors' proposals, the Eurogroup chaired by Dijsselbloem did not extend the programme due to expire on 30 June. Athens denounced the decision as an attempt to exert economic pressure, and it contributed to bank closures and capital controls.

State of the evidence

Institutional decision and official chronology documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility as Eurogroup president

ABN Amro executives granted board members a fixed pay increase of 100,000 euros despite the bank's public ownership. Dijsselbloem considered the increase difficult to defend but said he could not legally prevent it. He subsequently postponed the IPO and acknowledged that he should have informed the House more explicitly about the increase.

State of the evidence

Pay increase, parliamentary debate and acknowledgement of insufficiently explicit disclosure documented

Legal status — source text

No personal offence established

Attribution

Direct responsibility as finance minister and public shareholder

Dijsselbloem described Jean-Claude Juncker as a heavy smoker and drinker on television, provoking controversy while Juncker was seeking the presidency of the European Commission. Dijsselbloem subsequently telephoned Juncker to apologise.

State of the evidence

Remarks and apology documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following the Cypriot bailout, Dijsselbloem explained that requiring shareholders, creditors and large depositors to contribute could serve as a model for future banking crises. Markets reacted sharply, and he quickly clarified that Cyprus was a specific case.

State of the evidence

Statement, market reaction and clarification documented

Legal status — source text

No criminal matter involved

Attribution

Direct responsibility as Eurogroup president