New Dutch government sworn in with focus on climate
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Loading... - Danny Jones
- 11 Jan 2022
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The new government, formed after gruelling negotiations, has pledged to set aside €35 billion ($39.64bn) over the next 10 years for climate measures.
It has promised to build two new nuclear power stations and to become climate neutral by 2050, as one of the world's lowest-lying and most densely populated countries confronts rising sea levels.
The government includes the Netherlands' first Climate and Energy Minister, Rob Jetten, 34, who has the task of curbing emissions and the country's reliance on fossil fuels, especially gas.
"The government has to catch up on climate change," Mr Jetten told the Dutch news agency ANP, acknowledging the "considerable" task ahead.
Mr Rutte, who rides a bicycle, has said the coalition wants to "lay the foundation for the next generation", especially on climate as about a third of the Netherlands' land mass is below sea-level.
"Coronavirus is not gone yet, but of course there are other major issues as well," Mr Rutte said on Twitter after the new government's first Cabinet meeting.
He also highlighted housing and security issues.
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On the pandemic, the new coalition faces the immediate task of deciding whether record Omicron cases mean it should extend Europe's toughest Covid-19 restrictions, which are due to expire on Friday.
New Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag was sworn in by King Willem-Alexander by video-link because she was in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.
Mr Rutte, 54, is this year on course to become the longest-serving Dutch premier, and is already the EU's second longest-ensconced leader after Hungary's Viktor Orban.
But the path to his fourth government since 2010 was a difficult one, taking a record 271 days of negotiations after elections on March 17.
The coalition also comprises the same four parties as the last government – Mr Rutte's centre-right VVD, Kaag's progressive D66, the centre-right CDA and the conservative Christen Unie. Read More…
