Dutch PM still working in Torentje despite Binnenhof renovations, safety concerns

Prime Minister Dick Schoof is still working in the Torentje - the Prime Minister’s office at the Ministry of General Affairs on the Binnenhof - despite criticism from the fire brigade that it is not safe. The ICT at the Ministry’s temporary new location is not secure enough to protect Dutch State secrets, so Schoof wants to stay in his office on Hofvijver until Christmas, civil servants told AD.

The Binnenhof is being renovated, and all other Ministries and politicians vacated their usual offices three years ago—except for the Ministry of General Affairs, which includes the Torentje. This is despite persistent warnings from the fire brigade that fire safety is no longer guaranteed in the building.

Last year, Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hauge gave General Affairs permission to stay open until the end of this month. Some General Affairs officials will move this summer to their temporary home at the Ministry of Home Affairs, but Schoof and his closest employees want to stay where they are until at least the end of the year, the government information service RVD told the newspaper.

Civil servants told AD that the reluctance to move is because the computer systems at Home Affairs are not yet in order to protect State secrets. The connection between the two Ministries’ equipment proved more complicated than expected.

Cyber security specialist Ronald Prins told AD that properly protecting State secrets is a complex task. “You need complicated networks for that, which not everyone can access. You have to create huge shielded spaces. They do not yet have this at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations. To make it good and safe, you have to invest heavily. That would cost millions.” According to him, it would make more sense for General Affairs to move to the building of the general intelligence service AIVD in Zoetermeer. The AIVD has the space and already protects State secrets.

According to AD, officials at other Ministries complain that General Affairs is “skillfully evading the rules.” The entire Binnenhof has been empty since September 2021, but General Affairs remains at their offices. “First because [former Prime Minister Mark] Rutte did not want to leave, and now this again,” an insider told the newspaper.

A spokesperson for Mayor Van Zanen said that the municipality received an application to extend the work permit for General Affairs late last month. “It is currently under assessment by the fire brigade.”