The VVD published its list of preferred ministers and junior ministers on Thursday afternoon and as expected, party leader Dilan Yesilgöz is taking over at defence.

“This is where my heart lies,” Yesilgöz told reporters. “International security is where the big investments are and where there is a lot to be done.” The Netherlands has committed to spending 3.5% of GDP on defence in the coming years.

As expected, several VVD ministers will remain in their current positions. Eelco Heinen will continue to serve as finance chief and David van Weel will remain at the justice ministry.

Sophie Hermans, the current climate and green growth minister, will move over to health, while caretaker economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans will get the transport job.

Thierry Aartsen, one of several VVD politicians drafted into the caretaker cabinet following the withdrawal of NSC, will move up from the junior transport ministry role to minister of employment and participation.

Eric van de Burg, a junior minister in the last coalition led by Mark Rutte, is back in the cabinet as junior home affairs minister while Judith Tielen will move from the health ministry to take on the job of junior education minister.

Silvio Erkens, a former consultant who has been an MP since March 2021, is the only new face in the cabinet. He will take on the junior farm ministry role.

Ruben Brekelmans, the current defence minister, will take over from Yesilgöz as parliamentary party leader. “With a minority cabinet, parliament has an even more important role with new ways of working together,” he said. “This is why I want to work with the VVD team from parliament to get things moving.”

The cabinet will have to put together alliances with opposition parties to win support for its policies in both houses of parliament.

CDA and D66

The CDA and D66 have not yet published their lists of potential ministers but will do so on Monday, according to the AD.

D66, as the biggest party, will have Rob Jetten as prime minister, as well as the foreign trade and development aid, housing, education, agriculture, climate and social affairs ministries.

The AD does suggest Rianne Letschert, who was chief negotiator in the final stages of the cabinet formation process, will take the education top job. RTL Nieuws says former tax minister Hans Vijlbrief will take over at social affairs.

The CDA will fill foreign affairs, immigration, home affairs, economic affairs and long-term care. Its leader, Henri Bontenbal, is remaining in the lower house and will not become a minister.