VVD’s Verdonk has eyes on Deputy PM job

Tuesday 14 November 2006

Rita Verdonk, Immigration and Integration Minister in the current cabinet, has set her sights on becoming Deputy Prime Minister if the next cabinet is also a Liberal (VVD)-Christian Democrat coalition.

Speaking on BNR Nieuwsradio, Verdonk implied it was only logical she be given the job. ‘That is how it seems to me,’ Verdonk said.

Verdonk is in second place on the VVD list of potential MPs and was narrowly defeated in the party leadership race by Mark Rutte earlier this year. Rutte has always said he intends to stay in parliament, even if the VVD come to power again. The VVD is currently losing support in the polls.

Verdonk also said she favoured splitting her current job in two. Issues connected with immigration should be transferred to a newly formed Ministry for Security, while social issues such as integration should fall under the Ministry for Social Affairs, she said.

© DutchNews.nl

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