Former minister Foort van Oosten was sworn in as the acting mayor of Leeuwarden on Monday.
King's Commissioner in Friesland Arno Brok administered the oath during a ceremony at the provincial house.
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Van Oosten temporarily replaces Sybrand van Haersma Buma, who stepped down as mayor on Monday.
Buma is transitioning to his new role as vice president of the Council of State on Wednesday.
The temporary appointment takes effect on Wednesday. It will continue until a permanent mayor, appointed by Royal Decree, is selected.
Officials expect to finalize the selection before the summer of 2027.
Selection Process and Background
The selection of Van Oosten followed consultations between Commissioner Brok and the city council's confidentiality committee.
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The committee sought a candidate with urban mayoral experience, a strong administrative network in The Hague, and unifying capabilities.
The 49-year-old jurist previously served as the Minister of Justice and Security in the demissionary Schoof cabinet from September 2025 to February 2026.
He has also served as mayor of Nissewaard, a House of Representatives member for the VVD party, and an alderman in Schiedam.
The Leeuwarden city council intends to draft a profile description for the permanent mayoral position before launching the recruitment procedure.
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Van Oosten has agreed not to enter as a candidate for the permanent role.
