Dick Schoof (67) has been nominated as Prime Minister of the brand new cupboard by PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB. For a lot of, his presentation got here out of the blue. As a senior civil servant, he primarily labored within the background.
Schoof is a clean slate for the agricultural sector. He’s presently the very best official on the Ministry of Justice and Safety. Earlier than that, he was head of the AIVD and labored as Nationwide Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Safety.
Till January 2021, the meant prime minister was nonetheless a member of the PvdA, however he canceled that membership as a result of he stated he not felt ‘associated’ to that celebration.
‘Intens second’
Schoof referred to as his nomination as prime minister an ‘intense second’. He by no means anticipated to be requested for the very best publish within the nation’s authorities. He calls the step sudden, however ‘not illogical’. He says he has labored for the federal government and the democratic constitutional state all his life. ‘I believe that I can contribute to that good from my administrative data and expertise as Prime Minister. For the general public good, the final curiosity of the nation.’
Earlier than his nearly forty-year profession within the civil service, Schoof studied city planning at Radboud College in Nijmegen, Gelderland. His cradle was in Santpoort, North Holland, however he grew up in Hengelo, Overijssel, the place his father was director of Social Affairs on the municipality.
Regardless of missing expertise in political debate, Schoof considers himself appropriate for the place of Prime Minister. In keeping with him, remaining calm and picked up on difficult subjects is a attribute that characterised him as a senior civil servant. In keeping with him, this high quality can be needed to revive confidence in politics.
BBB completely happy
BBB chief Caroline van der Plas is ‘very completely happy’ with the nomination of Schoof as prime minister. She praises his broad expertise inside authorities. ‘In addition to, I believe he is a pleasant man. That is vital.’
In keeping with Van der Plas, it stays to be seen what Schoof is aware of regarding agriculture. ‘However I’m very assured that he’ll rapidly study what he nonetheless has to study there.’
It has by no means occurred earlier than {that a} Prime Minister strikes into the Tower with out expertise of political craft within the Home or from a ministerial publish. For the extra-parliamentary cupboard at a distance from the Home of Representatives, which the 4 coalition events aspire to, a technocrat with out political shade may very well be a bonus.
Throughout his presentation, Schoof expressed the ambition to serve the complete time period of the brand new cupboard.
