Next steps in gov't formation; Schoof I Cabinet could take office by end-June

The Netherlands is one step closer to having a new government. Today, formateur Richard van Zwol will start his one-on-one conversations with candidate Ministers. His first conversation is with candidate Prime Minister Dick Schoof. The other talks will start on Friday. If everything goes smoothly, the Schoof I Cabinet could take office at the end of June or start of July, NOS reports.

With each candidate, Van Zwol must carefully discuss all relevant topics for a new Minister, ranging from paid and unpaid ancillary functions to business and financial interests to personal health. He has to warn them about the physically demanding job that awaits and ask the important question: is there anything “from the past or present” that could put the candidate themself or the Cabinet “in a difficult situation?”

To avoid difficulties or unexpected surprises caused by too hastily accepted Ministers, the AIVD and other authorities are also examining candidates’ judicial antecedents, and the Tax Authority is looking at their files.

Each conversation will take at least an hour, maybe longer. Van Zwol has 28 candidates to talk to, so the meetings are expected to take until Wednesday, June 19, at least.

After that, the parliament wants to speak with the candidate Ministers. According to NOS, the Tweede Kamer allocated three hours for each Ministry and each political party can ask one question about the suitability of the Minister or State Secretary. There are about 12 Ministries, so those hearings are expected to take about five days.

When that is done, only the constituent deliberations remain - a kind of founding meeting in which all intended Ministers declare their support for the coalition agreement.

Then it is the swearing-in ceremony with King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace and the official first photo of the Cabinet on the palace stairs. The date is not yet set but should happen at the end of June or early July.

Here is what we know so far about what the new Cabinet will look like, with leaked names of candidates.