New minister’s dual nationality is not a problem, says prime minister

Prime minister Mark Rutte does not consider it a problem that a junior minister in his new government holds both Dutch and Swedish nationality.


Last weekend it emerged junior health minister Marlies Veldhuijzen van Zanten-Hyllner had two passports. She was born in Sweden and has a Swedish father.
‘The fact that I was aware she had dual nationality should tell you I do not consider it a problem,’ Rutte told reporters during a visit to Belgium.
PVV leader Geert Wilders is to introduce a motion calling on the minister to renounce her Swedish nationality during next week’s debate on the government’s plans. He believes dual nationality gives rise to divided loyalties.
Debate
‘We will wait for the debate,’ Rutte said.
The agreement signed between Rutte’s VVD and the Christian Democrats pledges the parties will make sure people can only become Dutch if they distance themselves from other nationalities – if this is possible.
Over 1.1 million Dutch men and women have a second nationality. Most are Turkish or Moroccan. Germans, British and Belgian nationals make up the top five.

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