Rita Verdonk - Minister For Integration

Minister For Integration

In 2003, Verdonk was appointed Minister for Integration and Immigration. She soon developed a reputation for toughness and outspokenness, with her uncompromising immigration policies earning her the nickname IJzeren Rita (Iron Rita). Verdonk enjoys a rare level of recognition and popularity amongst voters, but is also reviled by many as a populist with an impulsive style of governing. In a few incidents she was attacked physically for her policies, in June 2004 Verdonk was smeared with ketchup by two members of an extreme left organisation. These small incidents, combined with the murders of Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and Theo van Gogh in 2004 were reasons for the Dutch Ministry of Interior Affairs to monitor Verdonk's security tightly. Since June 4, 2008 this monitoring has ceased by agreement in the Cabinet, since the threat level has gone down. Verdonk used the publicitary opportunity to discuss her own security in full parliamentary session on the following day.