THE HAGUE (AFP) – Dutch King Willem-Alexander swore in former spy chief Dick Schoof as new prime minister yesterday, at the head of a right-wing coalition cabinet with a mission to implement the “strictest-ever” immigration policy in the country.
Two hundred and twenty-three days after far-right leader Geert Wilders swept to an election victory that stunned Europe and the world, Schoof took over from Mark Rutte after 14 years in power.
Schoof presented his ministers to Willem-Alexander in the ornate “Oranjezaal” in the royal palace, who each stepped forward to swear allegiance to the king and the constitution.
Wilders was forced to shelve his own ambitions to be prime minister to keep rocky coalition talks on track – some negotiation partners considered him too extreme to lead the nation.
Instead, the four coalition partners agreed their party leaders would not be in government, compromising on Schoof, 67, who was previously running the Dutch Secret Service.
Keen marathon runner Schoof will need all his stamina and experience in the halls of power in The Hague to keep the shaky coalition partners on track.
