The Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD) and Boer Burgher Regering (BBB) parties have agreed on a distribution of the vacant ministerial posts in the Netherlands, following the withdrawal of the Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) from the government last Friday.
Interim Prime Minister Dick Schoof informed the House of Representatives about the agreement in a letter, but withheld details about the distribution of roles, promising further updates in due course.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Ministers Sophie Hermans (VVD) and Mona Keijzer (BBB) intimated that they were close to a deal, setting the stage for Tuesday’s announcement.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to discuss the issue on Wednesday with the prime minister and the deputies.
In his letter, Schoof expressed his intention to listen to Parliament’s input and seek “majorities on key issues for the Netherlands.”
Currently, all vacant positions are being managed by the remaining ministers, but concerns are growing over the added workload. Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans, for example, has temporarily taken on responsibility for Foreign Policy. Some NSC ministers and state secretaries are expected to be replaced soon.
The Dutch government collapsed for the second time last week, marking an unprecedented event: a party walking out of a caretaker cabinet.
NSC Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned, citing insufficient freedom to pursue his policies on Israel. His departure was swiftly followed by resignations by other NSC officials.
