Dutch Election Winner Wilders Taps Ex-Spy Chief as Premier
- Dutch coalition parties choose Dick Schoof as new premier
- Far-right lawmaker Wilders has been leading coalition talks
Dick Schoof speaks during a press conference.
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Dick Schoof, a top official in the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, has been selected as the next prime minister by the four parties seeking to form a coalition in the Netherlands.
Dutch election winner Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party, the liberal VVD, the center-right NSC and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement announced Schoof as their choice for the top role on Tuesday. The rest of the cabinet needs to be formed before Schoof can formally replace Mark Rutte, the country’s longest-serving premier. That process is expected to be completed by June 26.