NSC founder Pieter Omtzigt is picking up his duties in the lower house of parliament, the party leader said on social media on Wednesday.

Omtzigt has been at home since September on the advice of his doctor but is now resuming his work as an MP, although not on a full-time basis.

Nicolien van Vroonhoven has been acting party leader throughout his absence and has had to cope with the resignation of two junior ministers and two MPs in the wake of the football-related violence in Amsterdam.

“I am looking forward to getting back to work, meeting my colleagues and getting stuck in to a tough week,” Omtzigt said.

Omtzigt founded the NSC after leaving the Christian Democrats as a party that stood for good governance and the rule of law.

The party won 20 seats in the general election a year ago, but since then its support has plummeted following ructions within the right-wing cabinet. Polls suggest it would win no more than four seats if there were a general election tomorrow.