Netherlands: Right-wing government sworn in with ex-intelligence chief at the helm
The 67-year-old, who succeeds the long-term Prime Minister Mark Rutte, intends to implement the "toughest" Asylpolitik (asyl policy) of all times with his cabinet. Schoof presented his new ministers to King Willem-Alexander at the royal palace in The Hague, who each stepped forward to swear loyalty to the King and the Constitution.
The right-wing populist PVV of Geert Wilders had won the advanced parliamentary elections in November. Wilders initially wanted to become Prime Minister himself, but his anti-Islam and Eurosceptic views complicated the formation of a coalition. In mid-March, Wilders eventually renounced the position of Prime Minister. The PVV, the Farmers Party BBB, the liberal VVD, and the new Anti-Corruption Party NSC then agreed on the formation of a coalition.
Schoof, who was previously a member of the Social Democratic Workers' Party, has announced that he will be a "Prime Minister for all Dutch." "I am non-partisan. I do not see myself in the grip of Mr. Wilders," he said.
The new Prime Minister will have to pay close attention to keeping ideological and personal conflicts within the coalition under control, according to political scientist Sarah de Lange of the University of Amsterdam to the news agency AFP. "Given his extensive experience at the helm of government agencies, he will certainly know how to defend his position." However, it is unclear how Schoof will react if Wilders puts pressure on him publicly by criticizing his work.
With Schoof's inauguration, the Rutte era comes to an end in the Netherlands. Rutte, who is 57 years old, was appointed as the new NATO Secretary-General on the last day of June. He will take office on October 1, succeeding the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg.
In several countries, right-wing populist parties made significant gains in the European elections at the beginning of June. In Austria, the right-wing populist FPO was the strongest force, as was the Party of the far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Fratelli d'Italia. In France, the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN) of Marine Le Pen came in first place in the first round of the parliamentary elections on Sunday with 33% of the votes.
- The Former head of the secret service, Dick Schoof, hails from the Social Democratic Workers' Party but has vowed to serve as a "Prime Minister for all Dutch," distancing himself from Geert Wilders' influence.
- Following the parliamentary election victory, PVV leader Geert Wilders aimed to assume the Prime Minister position, but his controversial views made coalition formation challenging.
- In The Hague, at the royal palace, Schoof introduced his cabinet members to King Willem-Alexander, each pledging loyalty to the King and the Constitution.
- The Netherlands' new government, formed by PVV, BBB, VVD, and NSC, intends to prioritize education and implement a strict asylum policy as per the 67-year-old Prime Minister's agenda.
- During his tenure, Schoof must navigate potential ideological and personal conflicts within the coalition while maintaining balance between his political beliefs and Geert Wilders' influence.
- As the Netherlands bids farewell to the Rutte era with Schoof's inauguration, Mark Rutte, now 57, prepares to assume the post of NATO Secretary-General, replacing Jens Stoltenberg on October 1.
- King Willem-Alexander, alongside Queen Maxima, has overseen several significant political shifts in the Netherlands, including the ascent of the new right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
