Emile Roemer, the former leader of the Socialist Party, has been appointed acting mayor of Heerlen.

Roemer, who will be sworn in on Friday, is the first mayor from Socialist Party ranks  the Netherlands has had. He has been given the job because of his lengthy experience in politics and his close ties to the town, Limburg king’s commissioner Theo Bovens said in a statement.

The SP is the biggest party on Heerlen town council with 11 seats. Mayors in the Netherlands are technically crown appointees, based on recommendations by the council.

Roemer left national politics in January after 11 years as an MP and almost eight years as SP leader.