Today, the new coalition parties (D66, VVD, and CDA) announced the distribution of ministerial roles for the incoming cabinet. Under the agreement, the CDA will lead the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, and Economic Affairs. The VVD has secured a broad portfolio including Finance, Justice and Security, Defence, Health, and Infrastructure. Meanwhile, D66 will oversee Education, Agriculture, and Social Affairs.
The new structure also includes a reshuffling of several departments. The CDA will hold the Asylum and Migration portfolio, which returns to the Ministry of Justice and Security. This move reverses a structural change implemented by the previous Schoof cabinet. D66 will provide a state secretary responsible for legal protection and the prison system.
In a move to streamline government, the Climate and Green Growth portfolio will be reintegrated into the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, led by a D66 minister and a CDA state secretary. Similarly, the Ministry of Home Affairs will once again house the Housing and Spatial Planning department, which will be led by a D66 minister and a VVD state secretary.
Digital economy
The government has created a new State Secretary position for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty within the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which D66 will fill. Other notable appointments include a D66 minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and a CDA state secretary within the Ministry of Defence.
Eelco Heinen
Eelco Heinen of the VVD is widely expected to remain Minister of Finance, with a state secretary from D66. In the Ministry of Social Affairs, a VVD state secretary will focus on work and participation, while the VVD will also provide state secretaries for Education and Agriculture. The CDA will appoint the Minister for Long-term Care, Youth, and Sport within the Ministry of Health.
Prime Minister elect Rob Jetten of D66 described the arrangement as a way to divide significant national tasks effectively between the parties. VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz called the lineup a balanced distribution, while CDA leader Henri Bontenbal noted that negotiations had been straightforward.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
