Amsterdam, May 29 (Agency) Former Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service Director-General Dick Schoof has acknowledged that he has been asked to be the next prime minister of the Netherlands, media reported. The Dutch media reported on Tuesday that the new Dutch coalition government, which includes the Party for Freedom (PVV), the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the New Social Contract Party (NSC), and the Farmer-Citizen Movement Party (BBB), planned to nominate Schoof as the next Dutch prime minister. The report said on Tuesday that Schoof, 67, is likely to take office on June 26. The report cited the ex-intelligence chief as saying that he plans to be a leader for the entire country and remain “partyless” while in office.
The prime minister is traditionally chosen as a member of the largest party in a coalition, which is currently the PVV-led by Geert Wilders, the report said, adding that Schoof said he will not be “dragged to an extremist stance”. “For me, this is a very intense moment. I never would have expected to be asked; to stand here is an honour. It’s very special, and I’m well aware that being the prime minister of the Netherlands is an intense job,” the report quoted Schoof as saying at a press briefing. Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws reported in mid-May, citing sources, that former Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk, who acted as a mediator at the beginning of negotiations on the current coalition, could be the most likely candidate for the post of prime minister. However, it was announced earlier in May that he was not ready to lead the new Dutch government.