Dutch Elections: Former Intelligence Chief Dick Schoof to Lead Right-Wing Government

Former Dutch intelligence chief Dick Schoof is set to be appointed as the prime minister of the incoming right-wing government in the Netherlands. The appointment comes after election winner Geert Wilders reached an agreement with three other conservative parties to form a government, with Wilders himself opting out of the top job.

Geert Wilders, the leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), has opted to not assume the top job in the Netherlands' incoming right-wing government, instead proposing former Dutch intelligence chief Dick Schoof for the role of prime minister. This decision was made after PVV reached an agreement to form a government with three other conservative parties.

Schoof, 67, is a senior official at the Dutch ministry of justice and has held leading positions in various agencies, including the Dutch intelligence agency AIVD and anti-terrorism agency NCTV. He also served as the head of the Dutch immigration service in the early 2000s.

The four parties that will form the new government have announced a press conference with Schoof on Tuesday, where he will be presented as the proposed prime minister. The coalition's governing plan, published on May 16, outlines aims for the "strictest-ever asylum regime" with enhanced border controls and stricter rules for asylum seekers arriving in the Netherlands.

This approach could potentially lead to clashes with the EU before the government even takes office. Schoof will lead a cabinet that will reportedly have looser ties to parliament. Putting together the government could take weeks, as the parties negotiate over portfolios and responsibilities.

Once formed, the government, which is set to be the most right-wing in the Netherlands in decades, will be sworn in by the king and Schoof will officially become prime minister.

Despite his extensive experience in Dutch domestic policies, including his work on reforming the police force, Schoof maintains a low international profile. The incoming government will have to adhere to the agreement reached by the four parties, which seeks to secure exceptions on EU asylum and environmental regulations.

Wilders has expressed confidence that the new government will be operational by the end of June. The appointment of Schoof as prime minister and the formation of the new government have sparked various reactions and discussions about the political landscape in the Netherlands and its potential implications for the country and the European Union.