“A new Cabinet”: Wilders says Dutch coalition parties have a deal for a new government
The four parties that have struggled to form a coalition government in the Netherlands following the November parliamentary elections have reached a deal on a new Cabinet, said Geert Wilders. His far-right PVV had been slowly progressing in talks with the VVD, NSC, and BBB to determine which parties would put forward candidates for the ministerial posts and the state secretaries who serve under them.
“We’ve figured it out, and you’ll find out the rest later,” he told reporters after talks concluded on Tuesday afternoon. “We are very happy, there is now a deal. You will hear more in the coming hours and days.”
On X, Wilders posted: “We figured it out! Agreement on everything! A new Cabinet.” According to NOS, the four right-wing parties have reached an agreement on how the Minister and State Secretary posts will be divided and the candidates for each post.
Intended Prime Minister Dick Schoof started working with formateur Richard van Zwol and the leaders of the four parties to put together a new Cabinet two weeks ago. It is unusual for this step of the formation process to take so long.
According to RTL, the PVV will likely get five ministerial posts, the NSC and VVD four, and the BBB two or three. There will also likely be four Deputy Prime Ministers, one for each party, given that Schoof is supposed to represent all four coalition parties. In previous Cabinets, the largest party got the Prime Minister post, and each coalition party got a Deputy Prime Minister.
A few faction members’ names are circulating as possible PVV Ministers, including Fleur Agema for Public Health. SGP member and former formation talks leader Elbert Dijgkraaf and VVD member Fred Teeven could also end up on the Cabinet on behalf of the PVV.
The VVD is reportedly eyeing MP Eelco Heijnen for Minister of Finance. Sophie Hermans also wants to step out of parliament and into the Cabinet, Parool reported. NSC has Eddy van Hijum tipped for Social Affairs. The BBB wants Mona Keijzer in the Cabinet. According to Telegraaf’s sources, the farmers’ party is aiming for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature. The PVV wants to head Asylum.
