Former intelligence chief Dick Schoof, also known as Dick Schoof, is reportedly set to be nominated as the new Prime Minister of the right-wing government in the Netherlands. This information was revealed to Dutch media outlets NOS and RTL Nieuws by sources.
Earlier this month, Geert Wilders, who led the overwhelming victory in the elections, reached an agreement to form a new government with his Party for Freedom (PVV) along with three other conservative parties. However, back in March, Wilders stated that he would not take on the role of the Prime Minister.
At 67 years old, Schoof currently holds the highest position in the Ministry of Justice and has previously led the General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands (AIVD), the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
On April 2, 2019, AIVD recommended in its annual report submitted to the Dutch government to avoid using technology and equipment from countries like China and Russia that frequently conduct cyber-attacks against the Netherlands. AIVD further warned that digital spies from China and Russia were attempting to pose a significant threat to cyber security.
Sources indicated that the PVV and the other three parties in the coalition government, which include Mark Rutte’s center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract Party (NSC), and the populist Farmers’ Party (BBB), are expected to officially announce Schoof’s nomination later on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Reuters, as a former director of the intelligence and immigration service, Schoof appears to be an ideal candidate to implement the “most stringent asylum policy in Dutch history” and combat organized crime schemes for the new coalition government.
Schoof was previously a member of the Labour Party (PvdA) but recently resigned from the party.