New Dutch govt to have record number of women

THE HAGUE: A record number of women are due to make up the next Dutch government after the incoming coalition published its list of ministers and secretaries of state on Sunday.


An unprecedented 14 of the 29 ministers and secretaries of state will be women, including 10 of the 20 ministers. The four-party coalition will be sworn in on January 10 after reaching a deal in December - a record 271 days after elections in March - handing PM

Mark Rutte

a fourth term in office.

Previous finance minister and centre-right leader

Wopke Hoekstra

, known for his hawkish stance on spending, will become foreign minister. Former foreign minister

Sigrid Kaag

will replace him in the exchequer brief.

Ernst Kuipers

, who was responsible for moving coronavirus patients around the country, will replace

Hugo

de Jonge as health minister.