In a surprising turn of events, the right-wing Dutch government has taken the reins of power, defying the expectations of analysts and fueling the rise of anti-immigration parties across Europe. The November 2023 election was dominated by concerns about the high cost of living, environmental issues, and the perceived mismanagement of the asylum system.

After months of political negotiations, an unexpected candidate, Dick Schoof, the former head of the Dutch intelligence service, was chosen to lead the diverse coalition. Mr. Schoof, the fifth person approached for the role, received approval from all four parties involved in the coalition. Mark Rutte, the Netherlands' longest-serving prime minister, bid farewell as he prepared to assume his new position as the NATO Secretary General in Brussels.

The coalition consists of Geert Wilders' anti-immigration, far-right PVV as the largest party, along with the conservative-liberal VVD, the Farmers' Citizen Movement, and the centrist New Social Contract party, which focused on restoring public trust in politics. The VVD and New Social Contract have pledged to keep Mr. Wilders' populist right-wing ideologies in check, leading to the moderation of some of his party's most extreme policies, including the banning of the Quran and holding a referendum on the Netherlands' EU membership.

However, despite diluting his party's platform, Mr. Wilders, as the leader of the largest party within the coalition, is still expected to have considerable influence in parliament. To accommodate the coalition partners, three new ministries have been established: housing, climate and green growth, and immigration. Notably, Mr. Wilders' initial choice for immigration minister, Gidi Markuszower, was vetoed due to failed security checks, and his subsequent choice, Marjolein Faber, has faced criticism for her endorsement of a racist conspiracy theory.

Meanwhile, Femke Wiersma, a former reality TV star from the show "Farmer seeks Wife," has become the new agriculture minister, representing the Farmer Citizen Movement. This party gained significant attention during the 2023 provincial elections, where they secured nearly 20% of the vote.

As the new government assumes power, all eyes are on how they will handle various challenges, including immigration and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The European Union is closely observing the Dutch government's response, while right-wing parties in France eagerly anticipate a political shift ahead of their own elections.

The Dutch population is now eager to see how the new government will live up to Geert Wilders' promise of making the Netherlands "number one." In the meantime, the nation also celebrates the success of their football team, as the Netherlands comfortably defeated Romania in the Euro 2024 last-16 match, securing a spot in the quarter-finals. Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo were the standout performers, with Malen scoring twice and Gakpo becoming the tournament's joint top-scorer.

Overall, the Dutch political landscape has entered a new and uncertain phase, with the right-wing government under scrutiny both domestically and on the international stage.