More potential ministers’ names emerge as new Dutch cabinet takes shape

Several new names of potential ministers have emerged since Wednesday afternoon and although not all cabinet posts have yet been filled, the new Dutch coalition is taking shape.

ChristenUnie MP Arie Slob now seems likely to get the top job at education while VVD parliamentarian Cora van Nieuwenhuizen is tipped for infrastructure. CDA stalwart Ferdinand Grapperhaus is set for the post of justice minister and the CDA’s Ank Bijleveld will become defence minister, Dutch media report.

According to the Financieele Dagblad, only the housing, and foreign trade and development jobs have yet to be filled.

The decision of three long-serving VVD ministers not to join the new cabinet has led prime minister Mark Rutte to turn to new blood alongside close allies Halbe Zijlstra (foreign affairs), Sander Dekker (security) and Eric Wiebes (economic affairs and climate), the FD says.

CDA leader Sybrand Buma has taken more risks with his appointments, the FD said. For example, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, named as a potential justice minister, has no experience of the inner workings of parliament, nor does finance minister Wopke Hoekstra.

The FD also points out that so few women’s names have leaked out. Asked last week about the appointment of women to top jobs, Rutte said: ‘I am striving to find the best people. The division of roles between men and women is secondary to that’.