New integration minister Gerd Leers wants to be a bridge builder and get away from the negative polarisation between different ethnic groups in the Netherlands.

‘I see it as a mission,’ Leers said, shortly after meeting prime minister designate Mark Rutte to discuss his appointment.
‘This is a great country but it has become divided,’ the former mayor of Maastricht said. Leers said he wanted to stop the divide growing wider by building bridges and generating support for his policies.
‘I call on everyone to join in,’ Leers, a member of the Christian Democrat party said.
The new minister said he had no difficulty with the tough measures agreed in the coalition agreement between the VVD, CDA and anti-Islam PVV. ‘I fully support the coalition accord,’ he said.