World Courant
After fourteen years of Mark Rutte as Dutch prime minister, a former head of home intelligence has been nominated to switch him by the 4 events that may type the brand new Dutch coalition.
67-year-old Dick Schoof mentioned he would turn out to be prime minister for all Dutch individuals, and never only for the 4 events that elected him.
“For me it is a very intense second. I by no means anticipated that I might be standing right here,” he informed reporters.
Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders received Dutch elections final November and ultimately reached a coalition cope with three different events after agreeing to not run for the highest job.
Underneath the 25-page settlement, Wilders’ Freedom Celebration and the three different leaders in his coalition agreed to stay in parliament exterior the cupboard, whereas about half of the ministers can be chosen from exterior politics.
They’ve promised the “hardest asylum regime ever”, in addition to stricter controls on migrants and worldwide college students and strict restrictions on household reunification for refugees.
Wilders had already given up on a few of his get together’s plans earlier than the elections, equivalent to banning the Koran, however he continued to stay to a few of his immigration insurance policies, which is able to trigger friction with some Dutch EU companions.
The conservative-liberal VVD, the centrist New Social Contract and the Peasant Citizen Motion (BBB) have agreed to the deal.
Dick Schoof has labored in authorities for his whole profession and is at the moment the highest-ranking civil servant on the Ministry of Justice. He as soon as led the home safety service of the AIVD, the counter-terrorism workplace and the immigration service.
He mentioned his give attention to the rule of legislation would assist him govern the Netherlands. His expertise on the Justice Division might additionally assist him navigate a number of the coalition’s greatest ambitions.
Schoof mentioned he knew Geert Wilders “a little bit”, however emphasised that he had been appointed by 4 events that had a big majority in parliament. Requested whether or not he or the far-right get together chief can be in cost, he mentioned: “There is just one prime minister and that will likely be me.”
He firmly rejected any suggestion that he was pretending to be on Geert Wilders’ leash, however admitted he was shocked by his nomination for the highest job.
In a latest interview, Dick Schoof was requested what penalties the election outcomes might have for his position throughout the civil service.
“It’s a signal that many individuals don’t belief the federal government’s potential to unravel issues, and maybe not in one another both,” he informed the Groene Amsterdammer. “And naturally it isn’t the case that simply because 1 / 4 of voters assist the Freedom Celebration, out of the blue 1 / 4 will get it fully flawed.”
Though he was a member of the PvdA for many years till just a few years in the past, he informed reporters on Tuesday that he not felt an affinity with it.
His appointment got here after first alternative for Prime Minister Ronald Plasterk needed to withdraw after stories within the Dutch media questioned his integrity.
The subsequent step for the long run prime minister will likely be to place collectively a ministerial group, along with the person main the method, Richard van Zwol. There may very well be a cupboard in place on the finish of June earlier than the summer time recess.
