The Hague - The long and protracted process of forming a government in the Netherlands came to an end yesterday as the new cabinet was officially sworn in by Queen Beatrix.
During the legislative election on May 6th, voters widely endorsed the past performance of an unlikely coalition between left-wing Labour, the right-wing Liberal VVD party and the centre-left formation, D66.
Together, the three parties hold a resounding majority with a total of 97 deputies in the 150-seat parliament.
The Labour leader and returning prime minister, Mr Wim Kok, has boosted his cabinet from 14 to 15 ministers and has plumped for a mix of ministerial experience and fresh blood to inject new life into the returning administration.