Dutch government sworn in after Wilders election win

 

By the signing of a royal decree, the new right-wing Dutch government has become a reality, Paralel.Az reports citing BBC.

Defying analysts’ expectations, it swept to power on a crescendo of discontent that has boosted anti-immigration parties across the continent.

High cost of living, environmental issues, and a perceived failure to manage the asylum system were some of the key issues ahead of the November 2023 election.

After months of political wrangling, an agreement was reached for the new Dutch government to be led by a surprise pick - the former head of the Dutch intelligence service, Dick Schoof.

Mr Schoof was the fifth person approached to preside over the eclectic coalition, and among the few palatable candidates for all four parties.

He pushed back a planned retirement to take over from Mark Rutte, the Netherlands longest serving prime minister who has packed his cardboard boxes in preparation for a move to Brussels to take over as the new NATO Secretary General.

The coalition Mr Schoof will govern includes Geert Wilders' anti-immigration, far-right PVV as the largest party.

The other members of the coalition will be the conservative-liberal VVD, the Farmers' Citizen Movement and the new-to-government centrist New Social Contract which promised to restore public trust in politics.

0.15003895759583