From 12 to 26 March 2008 VVD members have voted through phone, post and internet to express their preference between two party presidential candidates: Rotterdam mayor Ivo Opstelten and North Brabant province executive councillor Onno Hoes. More than 67% preferred Opstelten. Outgoing party president Jan van Zanen on Monday 31 March praised both candidates for their fair-play campaign. President-elect Opstelten responded to look forward to become a “liaison” officer between the grass roots of the party and the political leadership. Hoes called upon the party members to rally around the new president.The new party president will formally take office at the VVD spring general assembly to be held on 23 and 24 May in Noordwijkerhout, near The Hague. The party president is responsible for the party organisation and structures. The political leader of the VVD is Mark Rutte, MP.