Former trade union leader Jacques Tichelaar (54) – who describes himself as a ‘terrier’ – has been voted the new PvdA (Labour) parliamentary leader to replace Wouter Bos. Bos is joining the cabinet as finance minister.

Tichelaar, who has been an MP since 2002, beat two other candidates for the job. Although not formally confirmed, the new parliamentary leaders for the two other coalition partners will be Arie Slob (ChristenUnie) and outgoing junior environment minister Pieter van Geel (Christian Democrats).