Meet Dick Schoof, ex-spy chief likely to become new Dutch PM

Dick Schoof, the former head of the Dutch intelligence agency and counterterrorism office, has been proposed as the new prime minister of the Netherlands by a coalition of four right-wing parties.

Shoof, who is 67 years old, currently serves as the senior official at the Dutch Ministry of Justice. He was asked to lead the new government, not just by Geert Wilders’ nationalist PVV, but by all four parties forming the coalition. “I am not affiliated to any party, I am not standing here in the name of the PVV… I want to be the prime minister of all the Dutch,” Schoof said during a press conference.

Despite having no previous experience in parliament or government, Schoof’s extensive background in public service and his commitment to the rule of law make him a compelling candidate for the role.

How did the coalition select Shoof?

Schoof’s appointment comes after election winner Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), formed a coalition with three other conservative parties. Wilders ruled himself out of the top job , allowing the coalition to nominate Schoof.

Wilders praised Schoof on social media, stating, “Congratulations Dick. Dick Schoof has a great track record, is not a member of any party and thus stands above the parties, is honest and, on top of it, very friendly.”

The coalition, described as the most right-wing in the Netherlands in decades, has ambitious plans for governing. Their agenda, published on 16 May, outlines the “strictest-ever asylum regime” with stronger border controls and harsher rules for asylum seekers, potentially setting up a clash with the EU.

The coalition aims to introduce strict measures on asylum seekers, scrap family reunification for refugees, and reduce the number of international students. The plan titled “Hope, courage and pride” has faced scrutiny from analysts questioning its legal and constitutional feasibility.

Also Read: Is the European Parliament turning right this June?

Schoof, addressing these concerns, emphasised, “I think that, in all my positions, the common thread has always been the functioning of democratic rule of law and that will help me in my function as prime minister.” He also mentioned outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as an inspiration, praising his handling of governmental duties.

Rutte’s government will continue to function in a caretaker capacity until the new administration is officially sworn in. The original prime ministerial candidate proposed by Wilders, Ronald Plasterk , withdrew last week amid allegations of his involvement in medical patent fraud.

Who is Dick Schoof?

Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria “Dick” Schoof was born on 8 March, 1957, in Santpoort, Netherlands. He studied urban and regional planning at Radboud University from 1975 to 1982. Schoof’s career in public service began at the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, followed by a role at the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in 1988.

By 1996, he was appointed deputy secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security.

Schoof has held several high-profile positions, including chief director at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (1999-2003), where he played a significant role in reforming immigration legislation.

From 2010 to 2013, he served as director-general for the police, overseeing the restructuring of the police force from regional units to a national organisation. As head of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), he was involved in controversial aspects of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 investigation.

In December 2019, Schoof was appointed secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security, tasked with addressing scandals within the ministry. His leadership was pivotal during a turbulent period, helping to restore confidence and stability.

Schoof, a divorced father of two, has primarily worked on domestic policies and does not have a high international profile. His extensive experience in public service and his non-partisan stance are seen as strengths in leading a technocratic administration amidst a deeply divided nation.

Schoof & the Flight MH17 investigation

As anti-terror chief, Schoof played a pivotal role in coordinating the Netherlands’ response to the downing of Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine by Russian-controlled forces, which resulted in the deaths of 198 Dutch citizens.

While this solidified his reputation as a security expert in political circles, it also sparked controversy. In 2015, Dutch media reported that Schoof had attempted to influence an ostensibly independent investigation into the government’s handling of the MH17 crisis.

Publicly released emails revealed that Schoof had criticised the report’s authors for being “too heavy and too negative” in their conclusions about the Dutch response, urging them to soften their language, which they subsequently did.

At the time, Rutte defended both Schoof and the investigation, stating that the report’s authors still fully supported their findings “100 percent.”

The new government, expected to be operational by the end of June, will have looser ties to parliament, allowing for more direct governance by the cabinet. This approach aims to streamline decision-making processes and implement the coalition’s ambitious policy objectives more effectively.

Also Read: A 29-year-old Dutch woman will legally die. The euthanasia debate explained

Reflecting on his unexpected nomination, Schoof stated, “I guess it will be a surprise for a lot of people that I’m standing here… It’s actually also a surprise for me.” He said that he remained committed to upholding the rule of law and governing for all Dutch citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

With inputs from agencies