Schoof Reassigns Portfolios After Dutch Cabinet Faces Nine Vacancies

Prime minister Dick Schoof has reshuffled ministerial duties to cover nine vacancies left by the departure of foreign affairs minister Caspar Veldkamp and the entire NSC contingent. The walkout leaves only the VVD and BBB parties in the coalition, which now holds just 32 of the 150 seats in parliament.
The cabinet, already weakened after Geert Wilders’ PVV withdrew its ministers in June, will remain in place until the October 29 elections and throughout the lengthy government formation process that could follow.
Among the key changes, defence minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) will take over foreign affairs, while justice minister David van Weel (VVD) assumes responsibility for home affairs. Housing minister Mona Keijzer (BBB) will handle social affairs, and climate minister Sophie Hermans (VVD) will oversee education. Robert Tiemann (BBB), previously minister for infrastructure, will now lead the health ministry.
The resignations stemmed from disagreements over policy on Israel, with Veldkamp quitting after saying VVD and BBB blocked sanctions such as an arms ban and trade boycott. The exits have deepened political instability, forcing Schoof to rely on temporary arrangements until a new government is formed.