He succeeded the former mayor , Ivo Opstelten on 5 January 2009 .
On 31 October 2008 Aboutaleb was appointed ( in the Netherlands , mayors are not elected ) as mayor of Rotterdam .
Aboutaleb succeeded the former mayor , Ivo Opstelten on 5 January 2009 .
On 31 October 2008 Aboutaleb was appointed ( in the Netherlands , mayors are not elected ) as mayor of Rotterdam .