The Netherlands names its finance minister and Rota remains prime minister

Bloomberg – Sigrid Kaag, who has called for closer relations with France and Germany, will be the first Minister of Economy in the Netherlands., which could mean a change in its traditional belligerent stance on European budgets.

Mark Rutte will remain prime minister, at the head of his fourth government, after the longest negotiations in the country’s history to form a government. Key positions, such as defense, foreign affairs, and finance, will be filled by your alliance partners.

The Kaag supported the idea of ​​euro countries issuing joint bonds, something that would represent a major change in the Dutch position if it became government policy.. Historically, the Netherlands sits on the EU hawkish spectrum, with Rutte leading the resistance to the Pandemic Recovery Fund in 2020.

“There will be a different tone and a more open attitudeOn relations with the European Union, Kaag told Bloomberg last month after the coalition agreement was announced. He said that facing the epidemic or any other crises in the future would require a “European strike force”.

Kaag’s appointment brings the number of EU finance ministers to five. A career diplomat, she resigned as foreign minister last year after the Dutch parliament condemned her handling of the evacuation crisis in Afghanistan.

Parliament’s disapproval motion stated that Kaag’s ministry had not acted urgently enough, putting Dutch and Afghan workers at risk as many interpreters were stuck in the country following the US withdrawal. Kage began his career at the Royal Dutch Shell and lived and worked in Beirut, Vienna and Khartoum as part of his time in the diplomatic service.

Rota’s new cabinet includes 20 ministers: eight from the Prime Minister’s party, six from the D66 Progressive Centrist Party, four from the Christian Democrats, and the other two from the Christian Union. Ten women.

Other key members of the new government are:

• Wopke Hoekstra, of the CDA, the current Minister of Economy, appointed as Secretary of State
• Caja OlongrenStarting from D66 Defense
• Mickey Adriansens According to local media, Rutte’s VVD party is the new Minister of Economy and Climate
• Rob Gettin, from D66, will be the new Minister of Climate and Energy

Ministerial tasks for the fifth economy of the eurozone are announced by party announcements. King Willem-Alexander is expected to be formally sworn in in the government on January 10, when the parliamentary recess ends.