2023–2024 Dutch cabinet formation
Cabinet formation in the Netherlands / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A process of cabinet formation is taking place following the Dutch general election of 22 November 2023.
The first scout Gom van Strien resigned before the first talks due to suspicions of fraud, unrelated to the formation. Ronald Plasterk succeeded him. New Social Contract (NSC) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) were reluctant to govern with the largest party, Party for Freedom (PVV), because some of PVV's positions were contrary to the rule of law. As informateur, Plasterk held talks with those parties plus the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) about the rule of law and, subsequently, other topics. Tensions increased after a month and a half due to disagreements over finances and on 6 February NSC withdrew from the formation talks citing these issues.
Subsequently, Kim Putters (PvdA) was appointed informateur in February to investigate what form a cabinet should take. He concluded that it was possible to form a variant of an extra-parliamentary cabinet between PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB. Under the guidance of informateurs Elbert Dijkgraaf and Richard van Zwol, the four parties reached an agreement on 15 May. On 23 May the selection of ministers began under formateur Van Zwol. On 28 May, civil servant Dick Schoof (independent) was nominated Prime Minister, after Plasterk, who had previously been nominated privately, had withdrawn.