The first immigrant/Moroccan Mayor in the Netherlands

Congratulations to Mayor Aboutaleb and good luck with the new job!

AD.nl - Rotterdam Stad

Netherlands' first Moroccan mayor inaugurated - Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Ahmed Aboutaleb has been inaugurated as Mayor of Rotterdam. He was sworn in by Royal Commissioner Jan Franssen, who remarked that "a world city has gained a world mayor".

The former Labour deputy minister for social affairs is the Netherlands' first mayor with Moroccan roots. The inauguration has attracted a great deal of international media attention, with journalists from countries ranging from Morocco and Turkey to France and Germany in Rotterdam for the ceremony.

Mr Aboutaleb does not face an easy task in his new position. Integration and crime are major political issues in Rotterdam. At the same time, practical matters like infrastructure and the finances of Rotterdam's port will also demand the mayor's attention.

"Obama of Rotterdam"
Mr Aboutaleb's appointment has met with mixed reactions. He has been heralded as the "Barack Obama of Rotterdam".