The Netherlands will not extend the term after which someone qualifies for Dutch citizenship. On October 3, a majority of the Dutch Senate voted against extending the term from five to seven years. The government proposed the extension at the end of 2013. Extending the naturalisation term was supposed to ensure that foreigners can integrate and better participate in society. The longer naturalisation term was an explicit wish of coalition partner VVD. Klaas Dijkhoff, the newly appointed defence minister, had defended the proposal in his previous capacity as secretary for security and justice.