Former MP Sharon Dijksma is new junior economic affairs minister

Sharon Dijksma, first elected to parliament when she was just 23, has been appointed junior economic affairs minister to replace Co Verdaas.


Verdaas stepped down following controversy over expenses claims and his place of residence while working for Gelderland provincial council.
Dijksma, 41, was first elected to parliament in 1994 and served as junior education minister in the fourth Balkenende government.
Her appointment had been widely rumoured at the weekend. Dijksma left parliament at the last election but failed to win a mayoral position as hoped.
Experience
Political activist Sywert van Lienden points out using the microblogging service Twitter that no-one in either the economic affairs or finance ministry has any real experience in industry.
Finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem was a party worker and MP before becoming a minister; economic affairs minister Henk Kamp was a civil servant, alderman and MP, and junior finance minister Frans Weekers has a similar career pattern, apart from a short spell as a legal advisor with an insurance company.
Is experience of industry necessary to be a good minister? Share your thoughts using the comment section below.

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