Dutch PM Dick Schoof formally submits Cabinet’s resignation

Prime Minister Dick Schoof submitted the resignation of his Cabinet to the king on Wednesday. The government has been operating in a caretaker capacity since the Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) withdrew from the coalition on June 3.

The PVV ministers were dismissed at that point, while the remaining ministers and state secretaries offered to resign. Citing the elections and the upcoming coalition talks, Schoof has now submitted the resignation of his entire Cabinet, the Government Information Service said.

In practical terms, nothing will change. Schoof, who is not affiliated with any party, and the remaining ministers from the VVD and BBB will continue to govern the country at the king’s request until a new Cabinet is sworn in. That process could take several months. As was the case with the formation of the Schoof Cabinet, which lasted 223 days, ranking as the second longest in Dutch history, surpassed only by the 2021–2022 formation.

As stated on the government’s website, a caretaker Cabinet may deal only with day-to-day matters and generally refrains from introducing new policies or making controversial decisions.

The Government Information Service specifically noted in its announcement that the resignation was submitted “in response to the October 29, 2025, elections for the Tweede Kamer and the forthcoming Cabinet formation.” The Tweede Kamer is the lower house of Dutch parliament.