It's official: King to appoint Justice Minister, Secretary

King Willem-Alexander will formally swear in the new Minister and State Secretary of Security and Justice on Friday evening. The jobs will be filled by ruling VVD Members of Parliament Ard van der Steur, 45, and Klaas Dijkhoff, 34. The ceremony will take place at the King’s residence, Villa Eikenhorst, at 5:30 p.m. “Both were recommended by the Prime Minister for appointment by the King,” a spokesperson for the Dutch king wrote in a statement. The two MPs were rumored to be candidates for both jobs since their predecessors stepped down amidst controversy. Speculation of their recommendations to the King circulated through Parliament and Dutch media on Thursday and Friday. Stef Blok served as interim Justice Minister since Ivo Opstelten resigned. Former Secretary of Justice Fred Teeven is expected to return to the Tweede Kamer lower house of parliament to fill the seat Van der Steur is vacating.