6 months Ago
Schoof said during a press conference he would offer the resignations of all PVV ministers to King Willem-Alexander straight away. Ministers from the VVD, NSC, and BBB who still remain, will remain in office as caretakers until a new government has been formed.
Schoof Blames Disunity, Lack of Urgency
"The original mission of the Cabinet was solving the major issues of the country: housing, immigration, public security, nitrogen," Schoof said. These priorities had been detailed in the joint coalition document.
"The Cabinet have been working very hard over the few months past in order to effect this plan," he said. "When one party decides to get up and walk away, then there can be no working together." He also stated that the cabinet had met to discuss the matter and had agreed that without PVV support the government was no longer workable.
Mr Schoof said he would send the letter of resignation not only to the king but also to the House of Representatives and the Senate. He condemned the decision to split up the coalition as "unnecessary and irresponsible" and unrealistic especially at a time of domestic and international challenges."
Interim Role Pending Appointment of a New Cabinet
On the way forward, Schoof emphasized the urgency for taking immediate action for the country's good. "We will test the limits of what the status of a caretaker cabinet means and do everything within the limits and the boundaries that we find in the Parliament," he said.
He thought back to one year ago, when he was anointed as prime minister in a surprise move that he said he accepted because he thought he could solve national problems — and he still believes that. Schoof finished by saying that he and the other ministers will be continuing with their work until a new Cabinet is appointed.
When the press conference concluded, Schoof briefly deflected inquiries before abandoning it abruptly, saying: "I have to go to the king, goodbye."
