23 February 2007

AMSTERDAM – As far as Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin is concerned there was absolutely no need for the discussions on the dual nationality of Labour PvdA state secretaries Ahmed Aboutaleb (Social Affairs) and Nebahat Albayrak (Immigration Affairs)

"I was extremely displeased at the manner in which those discussions were held. They took on an unpleasant tone," the minister said on the NOS broadcast on the new cabinet on Thursday evening.

Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) had criticised the dual nationality of the two state secretaries in Parliament last week

The PVV said that the two state secretaries should have been required to choose Dutch nationality above their other nationalities.

Hirsch Ballin said there was no need for that at all. "All my colleagues in the government are Dutch."

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news