We almost have all the names now:
- Prime Minister:
Dick Schoof. Former SG at the Ministry of Justice & Security, former head of Immigration Agency, former chief of two out of three Dutch intelligence agencies. Has a reputation of getting things done — and is willing to go far to do so. Has an excellent working relationship with current PM Rutte, who he mentioned as a source of inspiration. 'Extraparliamentary', nominated by all four parties. Former PvdA member.
- First Deputy PM and Asylum and Migration Minister:
Gidi Markuszower (PVV). Lawyer and long-term confidant to Geert Wilders. MP since 2017, spokesman on asylum and immigration. Tough as nails on immigration. Will take the PVV DNA to the Trêves (ministerial) Hall — at a new ministry.
- Second Deputy PM and Minister for Climate and Green Growth:
Sophie Hermans (VVD). MP, parliamentary group leader of the VVD (2021-23) and former assistant to Mark Rutte. Shaky public image but lauded behind the scenes for being a competent deal maker. Will get a new ministry, presumably responsible for the second part of the current Economic Affairs & Climate Ministry and for the entire Nature and Nitrogen Ministry, last term's nightmare portfolio which cost fellow VVD loyalist Christianne van der Wal much of her popularity. Hermans, like Van der Wal, represents the more progressive/green side of the VVD, which will probably be the greenest party in this government.
- Third Deputy PM and Minister of Social Affairs:
Eddy van Hijum (NSC). Closest confidant to Pieter Omtzigt, together with MP Nicolien van Vroonhoven. Long-serving CDA party soldier (11 years MP, 9 years provincial 'minister' in Overijssel) before his switch to Omtzigt's new party. Portfolio important to NSC.
- Fourth Deputy PM and Minister of Public Housing:
Mona Keijzer (BBB). Former PM candidate for BBB; CDA MP and Deputy Minister (Economic Affairs) before - was fired from that last job by Rutte personally over her public criticism of the COVID restrictions. Vote magnet, but always neglected (i.e. never becoming Minister) at the CDA for not being part of the 'old boys network'. Then switched to BBB. Had probably hoped for the top job at Economic Affairs this time, but Public Housing will perhaps be an even more formidable and important task.
- Minister of Finance:
Eelco Heinen (VVD). The VVD's financial specialist. MP, economist, former advisor at the Ministry of Finance and former VVD head of policy on financial affairs.
- Minister of Public Health:
Fleur Agema (PVV). MP since 2006 and long-standing healthcare spokeswoman, often in sync with the SP and critical of too much free market influence in the healthcare system. Confidant to Wilders: #2 for the PVV in six subsequent general elections.
- Minister of Education and Science:
Eppo Bruins. Scientist, PhD in physics. Head of the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. 'Extraparliamentary' and nominated by NSC, but former ChristenUnie MP (2015-21) who was still on their EP list last week and helped write their manifesto. The ChristenUnie won't cancel his membership, but are not amused.
- Minister of Agriculture:
Femke Wiersma (BBB). #2 on the 'OG' BBB list in 2021 when they first entered parliament, behind Van der Plas. Now provincial 'minister' of agriculture in Frisia.
- Minister of Economic Affairs:
Dirk Beljaarts. 'Extraparliamentary', nominated by the PVV. Former head of the organization representing hotels, restaurants and bars. Critical voice during COVID lockdowns. Honorary consul for Hungary in the Netherlands.
- Minister of Defense:
Ruben Brekelmans (VVD). Harvard graduate. MP since 2021 and immediately became one of the most visible VVD politicians. One of Ukraine's biggest friends in the Netherlands: Putinists will have a meltdown over this nomination. Apart from foreign affairs spokesman also covering the topic of asylum and immigration, on which he has been more on the right-wing side of the party (as opposed to Eric van der Burg). First MP to suggest opening the door to the PVV.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Caspar Veldkamp (NSC). Newly elected MP. Before that: Dutch top diplomat, ambassador in Greece and Israel.
- Minister of Justice and Security:
David van Weel. 'Extraparliamentary', nominated by the VVD. Former member of the Dutch Royal Navy, former special advisor to PM Mark Rutte, current assistant to NATO SG Jens Stoltenberg.
- Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation: PVV. No name yet.
- Minister of Interior Affairs: NSC. No name yet.
- Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management: PVV. No name yet.
In addition, there will be 13 Deputy Ministers: for Justice & Security (PVV), Legal Protection (NSC), Kingdom Affairs and Digitalization (PVV), Recovery of Groningen [solving earthquake scandal] (BBB), Education (VVD), Tax and Customs Affairs (NSC), Benefits [solving the childcare benefit scandal] (NSC), Defense (BBB), Public Transportation and the Environment (PVV), Fisheries (BBB), Participation and Integration (VVD), Long-term Care (PVV), and Youth and Sports (VVD).
When will the government be sworn in?
By the end of the month.
For the first time, there will be parliamentary hearings for all candidate ministers (except for the candidate PM). However, this is expected to be largely symbolical as the Netherlands has negative parliamentarism: there is no investiture vote.
SP, CDA and SGP have already stated they will boycott the hearings: the SP think it is a 'circus' and CDA and SGP oppose this innovation for constitutional reasons, saying the government should always be assumed to have the confidence of the parliament until proven otherwise.
