Schoof Cabinet faces declining trust after six months
In December 2024, six months after Dick Schoof became the Netherlands' first non-partisan prime minister in decades, his government faces mounting challenges. Despite early optimism, the coalition has struggled with internal divisions and declining public support. Polling data shows a drop in Schoof’s approval ratings, attributed to his perceived indecisiveness and difficulties uniting a fragmented coalition.
Schoof’s tenure began with cautious optimism in July 2024. However, post-election polling in November 2023 revealed a shift in political dynamics. Right-wing parties like the PVV and center-right VVD have gained ground, while the NSC, led by Pieter Omtzigt, has seen its support plummet. Once seen as a key player in the coalition, NSC’s decision to exit early negotiations with PVV, VVD, and BBB in early 2024 led to a steep decline in popularity. By December, Omtzigt’s approval rating had dropped sharply from 7.3 to 4.6.
"The NSC’s fall from grace has been stark," Schoof acknowledged, recognizing the difficulty in uniting diverse political views under a coherent agenda.
Meanwhile, the CDA, led by Henri Bontenbal, has seen a resurgence. The party, which won just five seats in the 2023 elections, gained significant support, growing to 14 seats in December’s poll. While Bontenbal is praised for his leadership style, critics argue the CDA lacks a clear policy direction beyond its emphasis on "norms and values."
Schoof himself has faced scrutiny. A survey by RTL News found that only half of respondents rated his performance as "fair to good," with many questioning his leadership abilities. His handling of a violent incident in Amsterdam in the summer of 2024, including a delayed return from an EU summit, was widely criticized. His style has been described as adaptive but passive, often deferring decisions to coalition members, which has led to frustration.
Internal conflicts have also plagued the cabinet. A dispute over the resignation of an NSC official in November triggered a mini-crisis, adding to tensions over fiscal policies and the cancellation of a planned VAT hike. Schoof’s ability to stabilize the government was tested in October when he led negotiations on a contentious asylum law, which was ruled unconstitutional. His compromise with Geert Wilders and Nicolien van Vroonhoven temporarily stabilized the coalition.
Despite these efforts, the government's internal struggles have eroded public trust. Ipsos polling shows a decline in confidence since June 2024, with many voters dissatisfied with the government’s failure to deliver on promises regarding immigration control and housing. "Voters are frustrated with the process, not the content," Schoof said, acknowledging the disconnect between policy and public perception.
