January 13, 2015
The Moroccan-Dutch politician Khadija Arib (Labour Party) has been chosen as the new chairwoman for the Dutch parliament. She defeated Ton Elias (Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy), Martin Bosma (Party for Freedom), and Madeleine van Toorenburg (Christian Democrat Party), who were also candidates.
The Labour Party-politican thanks the members of parliament for their trust and also her co-candidates. “With full conviction and effort I will give space to this chamber and of course act when necessary”, an emotional Arib said.
Arib was questioned by the Dutch anti-Islam party the Party for Freedom with regards to her representation. She was criticized for her Moroccan accent and the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy questioned if she had mastered French and English.