Dick Schoof
Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria "Dick" Schoof (born 8 March 1957) is a Dutch politician who is the Prime Minister-nominee of the Netherlands. He was the secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security from 2020 to 2024.[1] Schoof was a member of the Labour Party (PvdA) for over 30 years, until he left in early 2021.[2]
Dick Schoof | |
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![]() Schoof in 2016 | |
Prime Minister of the Netherlands | |
Nominee | |
Assuming office TBD | |
Monarch | Willem-Alexander |
Deputy | Gidi Markuszower Sophie Hermans Eddy van Hijum Mona Keijzer |
Succeeding | Mark Rutte |
Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Security | |
In office 1 March 2020 – 28 May 2024 | |
Preceded by | Siebe Riedstra |
Succeeded by | TBD |
Director-General of the General Intelligence and Security Service | |
In office 20 November 2018 – 10 February 2020 | |
Preceded by | Rob Bertholee |
Succeeded by | Erik Akerboom |
National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism | |
In office 1 March 2013 – 19 November 2018 | |
Preceded by | Erik Akerboom |
Succeeded by | Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg |
Chief Director of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service | |
In office 1 December 1999 – 1 March 2003 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria Schoof 8 March 1957 Santpoort, Netherlands |
Political party | Independent (2021–present) |
Other political affiliations | PvdA (until 2021) |
Spouse(s) | Yolanda Senf (div.) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Nico Schoof (brother) |
Alma mater | Radboud University (MSc) |
Occupation | Civil servant |
Political career
Schoof started his career at the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG). He then became a civil servant at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in 1988. He was deputy secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security in 1996.
Schoof later led the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. When he was in charge of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, he was criticized over the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 investigation.
In 2019, Schoof was announced as secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security to fix the scandals in the Ministry.[3]
Schoof was nominated as Prime Minister of the Netherlands on 28 May 2024 by the Party for Freedom (PVV), People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), New Social Contract (NSC), and the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB).[4] As part of negotiations, the four party leaders agreed none of them would serve as prime minister.[5] He was nominated as prime minister after Ronald Plasterk withdrew from consideration.[6][7]
Personal life
Schoof was born in Santpoort, Netherlands in 1957. He studied at Radboud University.
Schoof has a girlfriend and two daughters adopted from China with his ex-wife, Yolanda Senf.[8]
References
- Blacquière, Jan; Bovenkamp, Niels van den (2024-05-28). "Geboren katholiek, die door de jaren heen krasjes opliep. Wie is Dick Schoof, de beoogd premier?". Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- "Schoof: ik ben niet de PVV-premier, ik ben gevraagd door vier partijen". NOS.nl (in Dutch). 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- Adriaanse, Mark Lievisse (2019-12-19). "AIVD-baas Schoof gaat Justitie leiden". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- Kroet, Cynthia (2024-05-29). "Who is Dick Schoof and why did Geert Wilders choose him as new PM?". euronews. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- Goot, Edo van der (13 March 2024). "Wilders geeft premierschap op, leiders PVV, VVD, NSC en BBB niet in kabinet" [Wilders surrenders position of prime minister, leaders of PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB not in cabinet]. NU.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- "Topambtenaar Dick Schoof (ex-AIVD, ex-NCTV) kandidaat-premier" [High-ranking official Dick Schoof (former AIVD and NCTV) nominated as prime minister]. NOS (in Dutch). 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- "Partijleiders nu definitief akkoord • Presentatie verschoven naar vanochtend" [Party leaders definitively in agreement • Presentation postponed to this morning]. NOS (in Dutch). 2024-05-16. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- Hartog, Tobias den; Keultjes, Hanneke; Verweij, Elodie (2024-05-28). "'Dick Donder' en 'Lachende moordenaar': met Dick Schoof krijgt Nederland premier die stiekem best op Rutte lijkt". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-05-29.