'Newcomers': Pressure and the Race

Dick Schoof, 67, officially became the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands, replacing his predecessor Mark Rutte after 14 years in office.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the new Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof (left) at Huis ten Bosch Palace. (Source: ANP)

On July 2nd, Dick Schoof was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands before King Willem-Alexander, officially succeeding Mark Rutte, who is almost certain to become the new Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In his inaugural address, Schoof set the goal of becoming "a prime minister for all Dutch citizens." He described himself as "non-partisan" and said he had no intention of "bowing down" to Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders.

The new Prime Minister declared he would implement the 26-page coalition agreement “decisively,” with “addressing migration” as a central focus. He pledged to implement “the country’s strictest refugee reception policy ever and the most comprehensive package to manage migration.”

According to Politico , the new Prime Minister has an impressive civil service record, with a long history of work related to national security. He previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Justice and Security, led the AIVD intelligence agency and the NCTV counter-terrorism agency, and headed the Dutch immigration authority.

Those who have worked with Schoof often describe him as "professional," "straightforward," and "meticulous." Former Minister of Justice and Security Ivo Opstelten remarked that the new Chancellor is "an excellent person; I worked very well with him." Opposition leader Frans Timmermans described him as a "loyal and dedicated public servant," while Pieter Omtzigt, head of the New Social Contract Party (NSC), stated, "It's hard to find anyone more meticulous than Schoof."

Prime Minister Dick Schoof was sworn in with his new cabinet on July 2nd. (Source: EPA)

Previously, Dick Schoof's nomination as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands came as a surprise to many Dutch citizens. He was a long-time member of the Labour Party (PvdA) but decided to leave the party in 2021. Currently, he does not belong to any political party in the Netherlands.

Despite being such a veteran civil servant, Schoof is not particularly well-known in his own country, nor among leaders in the European Union (EU). In a poll conducted by the Dutch television program EenVandaag at the end of May, 50% of respondents did not know him and only 11% knew his name.

Another surprise for the Netherlands was that the prominent leader of the Liberal Party (PVV), Geert Wilders, did not run for head of government after the party's impressive victory in the November 2023 parliamentary elections, securing 37 out of 150 seats for a four-year term.

Geert Wilders formed a far-right cabinet to persuade three other parties to form a majority coalition in Parliament, totaling 88 MPs: the Liberal and Democratic Party (VVD), the Citizens' Movement (BBB), and the National Security Council (NSC). All four parties agreed to elect Dick Schoof as Chancellor, pledging to implement the ruling coalition's action plan.

Right-wing politician Geert Wilders remarked that the former intelligence official "has a lot of experience with the issues that need attention."

Clearly, Schoof, an amateur marathon runner in his spare time, will need to utilize all his experience and stamina to maintain the coalition and contend with the pressure to become "Prime Minister for all Dutch citizens."

As noted by political science professor Sarah de Lange (University of Amsterdam), Dick Schoof “will have a lot of work to do to manage ideological and personal conflicts, but with his extensive experience heading various government agencies, he will be well-equipped to defend himself.”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tan-thu-tuong-ha-lan-nguoi-moi-ap-luc-va-chay-dua-277294.html