THE HAGUE - Gijs Tuinman, a member of the BBB party and a decorated former soldier, has announced his departure from the House of Representatives Committee for Kingdom Relations to take up the role of Secretary of State for Defense.
Tuinman, who is a recipient of the prestigious Military Order of William, is not expected to be greatly missed in his former committee role, as he did not demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for kingdom relations. Nonetheless, his tenure was marked by notable contributions, including the initiation of a hearing on geopolitical unrest in the Caribbean region.
Despite leaving his position on the committee, Tuinman’s new role may still involve him in matters concerning the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. This will depend on the division of responsibilities with the prospective Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans. As Defense is a kingdom affair, Tuinman could remain engaged with issues affecting the Caribbean territories.