The far-right Freedom Party of Geert Wilders has nominated five candidates to become ministers in the incoming Dutch government, overseeing Asylum and Migration, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Infrastructure, Economic Affairs, and Healthcare. The coalition government is dominated by Wilders’ PVV, alongside the liberal VVD, conservative NSC, and farmers’ party BBB. The PVV almost doubled its seats in the November elections, with the new administration set to take office on June 26, led by independent prime minister Dick Schoof. The ministers will need to pass a confirmation hearing in parliament next week, and portfolios could change. There are also 13 state secretaries whose names have not all been confirmed.
The PVV has put forward hardline candidates for various ministries, including Gidi Markuzower and Reinette Klever for Asylum and Migration and Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation respectively. Dirk Beljaarts will head the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Barry Madlener will take the helm of the Infrastructure ministry, and Fleur Agema will lead on healthcare. These candidates bring a mix of political and non-political experience to their roles, with some having served in parliament since as early as 2006.
The liberal VVD has nominated candidates for Finance, Justice, Defence, and Climate ministries, with Eelco Heinen set to become Finance Minister, David van Weel leading Justice, Ruben Brekelmans overseeing Defence, and Sophie Hermans becoming Climate Minister. These candidates bring a wealth of experience from various sectors, including finance, NATO, and political advisory roles, to their respective ministries.
Newcomer party NSC will take on Foreign Affairs with Caspar Veldkamp, a former diplomat, while Judith Uitermark, Eddy van Hijum, and Eppo Bruins will handle Home Affairs, Social Affairs, and Education respectively on behalf of NSC. The farmers’ party BBB will oversee the Agriculture and Nature Ministry, with Femke Wiersma leading. Mona Keijzer, a former state secretary on Economic Affairs, will take on the Housing portfolio. These newcomers bring a mix of political and non-political backgrounds to their roles, with some having previously held positions in diplomacy or agriculture.
Overall, the incoming Dutch government under prime minister Dick Schoof will see a mix of experienced politicians and newcomers taking on key ministerial roles in areas such as finance, justice, defence, and climate. The coalition government, led by the far-right PVV and including the liberal VVD, conservative NSC, and farmers’ party BBB, reflects a diverse range of political ideologies and priorities. The confirmation hearing in parliament next week will provide further insight into the final makeup of the government and potential changes to portfolios. With a mix of hardline and more moderate candidates nominated for ministerial positions, the new administration will face challenges in delivering on its policies and addressing key issues such as asylum, trade, infrastructure, and healthcare.
