Dutch justice minister likely to lead VVD post-Rutte, ready for PM role

Outgoing Justice Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius will likely take over VVD leadership from former leader and prime minister Mark Rutte after she announced she was ready to take on party leadership and, if successful in the upcoming national elections, the prime minister’s office.

Earlier this week, Rutte surprisingly announced his retreat from politics following the collapse of his fourth cabinet due to squabbles over family reunification rules.

“I have decided to stand as the VVD’s list leader. The floor is now up to the board and then the members of the VVD,” Yeşilgöz-Zegerius tweeted early on Wednesday, adding that “in any case, I am happy to take responsibility for making our country even more beautiful”.

Yeşilgöz-Zegerius also said she is ready to follow Rutte’s steps as Prime Minister.

“I have handled many different portfolios and fulfilled many political roles in recent years. I now bring a mountain of experience, including being able to quickly master content and information. That provides a solid basis to continue working on,” she told Telegraaf.

Prior to serving as Justice Minister, Yeşilgöz-Zegerius was an MP between 2017 and 2021 and served as State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy from 2021 to 2022.

During her short time in office, she particularly vowed to tackle drug smuggling in the Netherlands, which has become a rampant problem over the past few years. Her efforts led to a ban on more than 100 chemical materials used in the production of hard drugs and increased cooperation with Belgian authorities, who are also struggling to contain smugglers.

The chances of Yeşilgöz-Zegerius becoming party leader are quite high, as promising candidates, like former defence minister Klaas Dijkhoff and current parliamentary leader Sophie Hermans, have already stated that they will not compete for the position.

The party’s national board is expected to make her its preferred candidate for the elections later this week, with party members being set to vote on who should become party leader in a few weeks.

(Benedikt Stöckl | EURACTIV.com)