Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s tenure leading the Dutch coalition government of PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB has been marked by deep distrust and a lack of a clear mandate, leading to an ultimately impossible situation. Almost no one believed that another prime minister could have saved the extra-parliamentary cabinet.

Schoof, the first non-partisan prime minister since 1918, faced the challenge of leading a cabinet with inexperienced members and distrustful party leaders, based on a vague agreement lacking a common mission. His appointment came after other candidates declined, citing the difficulty of the role and the lack of an electoral mandate.

One of the primary issues was Schoof’s lack of a direct electoral mandate. Unlike previous prime ministers, he was not elected, diminishing his power and influence within the coalition. Richard van Zwol, one of the cabinet informateurs, noted that Schoof had fewer means of power compared to a leader who brought a significant number of seats to the table.

Suspicion also arose among the coalition parties regarding Schoof’s allegiances. There were perceptions that he favored the VVD, given his past working relationship with the party’s leader, Dilan Yesilgöz, and his stated admiration for former VVD Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This distrust was exacerbated by Schoof’s decision to commit additional support to Ukraine, which was seen as a move coordinated with the VVD.

Schoof’s leadership style, characterized by absorbing pressure and avoiding direct confrontation, also drew criticism. He was seen as failing to assert sufficient authority, particularly in instances where PVV ministers made controversial statements. Critics argued that Schoof was being “humiliated” and treated as a mere implementer of the coalition’s broad outline agreement.

Ultimately, Schoof’s inability to bridge the divides within the coalition and establish a strong leadership presence led to the collapse of the government. The final blow came when Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV, withdrew his support, effectively ending Schoof’s premiership.