Wilders pulls the strings from behind the scenes – new government in The Hague

With completely untested ministers, civil servant Dick Schoof takes over as Prime Minister in the Netherlands. The question is how – and if – Islam-critical Geert Wilders can govern from behind the scenes.

» Updated:

» Published:

Wilders pulls the strings from behind the scenes – new government in The Hague
Photo: Patrick van Katwijk/AP/TT

Share this article

With entirely untested ministers, civil servant Dick Schoof takes over as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

The question is how – and if – Islam-critical Geert Wilders can exert influence from behind the scenes.

The 67-year-old Schoof, with experience from, among other things, the Ministry of Justice, was sworn in by King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday, along with his 15 ministers: five from Geert Wilders' PVV, four from the liberal VVD and the neo-conservative NSC, and two from the farmer-populist BBB.

"I stand for taking action on migration, holding a dialogue, making decisions, and being clear about why. You can count on me", Schoof himself says via X.

Wilders' PVV clearly became the largest party in the parliamentary election last autumn and has since also climbed even higher in national opinion polls. However, there will be no ministerial post for the controversial Wilders. In order to get a majority behind a government, he has had to agree to stay outside the government, like other party leaders.

The curiosity is simultaneously great about how Wilders will want to pull the strings from the background.

It is still an open question how he (Schoof) will react if Wilders puts pressure on him through public criticism on X, says political scientist Sarah de Lange to the AFP news agency.

The Netherlands has been governed since 2017 by a government with the right-liberal VVD, left-liberal D66, conservative CDA, and the small Christian party CU.

Now a new four-party coalition is being formed, where VVD is joined by the newly formed conservative NSC, the far-right PVV, and the farmer-populist BBB. The parties have a total of 88 out of 150 seats in parliament.

Formally non-political Prime Minister becomes former civil servant Dick Schoof. Former ambassador Casper Veldkamp from NSC becomes the new Foreign Minister, while VVD takes responsibility for, among other things, climate, finance, and defense through Sophie Hermans, Eelco Heinen, and Ruben Brekelmans. Marjolein Faber from PVV becomes the Minister for Asylum and Migration.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil