Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb is guaranteed a second term in office now the city’s council has given its approval, the AD reports on Friday.

Aboutaleb’s first term expires in January. The Labour party member was the first Muslim mayor to be appointed in a big city in Western Europe. He replaced Ivo Opstelten (VVD), who is now justice minister.

In particular Aboutaleb has won praise recently for his support of regulated marijuana production and his condemnation of people who threatened a Muslim woman who opened a wine bar in the port city.

Mayors in the Netherlands are formally crown appointees.

Labour lost six of its 14 seats in the March local elections, leaving populist party Leefbaar Rotterdam the clear winner.