New Dutch government clarifies energy policies

The Dutch king today formally confirmed the new right-wing cabinet under prime minister Dick Schoof, ending a seven-month coalition negotiation since the parliamentary elections in November.

Lengthy coalition talks between election winner Geert Wilders of the far-right populist PVV, the centre-right New Social Contract (NSC) party under Pieter Omtzigt, incumbent centre-right party VVD and farmer's citizen movement BBB were only concluded on the basis that Wilders would not become prime minister. Instead, all parties confirmed former civil servant Schoof as prime minister in late May.

The PVV secured the most seats in elections in November 2023 and had proposed far-reaching changes to energy policy in its election manifesto, which focused on abolishing decarbonisation targets. But many of these proposals would have run counter to binding EU policy and legislation, and the more moderate coalition partners NSC and VVD may have contributed to softening those ambitions in the energy sector. The initial coalition agreement between the parties published in May shows energy and climate policy roughly in line with the outgoing government, albeit with a stronger focus on domestic security of supply and scaling back some climate policies that were in advance of European policy.

The new government plans to split the ministry for economic affairs and climate into two, although the ministry for economic affairs retains the directorates for climate and energy as well as Groningen and extractive industries. The position of state secretary for mining, formerly held by Hans Vijlbrief, has been cut from the ministry. And a new ministry for climate and green growth has been formed, although both ministries share the same general secretary, civil servant Sandor Gaastra.

The new economy minister Dirk Beljaarts (PVV) said today he would focus on a "stable, predictable business climate" to allow businesses to "count on government". The climate and green growth minister will be Sophie Hermans, previously parliamentary leader of the outgoing prime minister's party VVD, which may indicate greater alignment with the outgoing government's policies in this area. The new climate and green growth ministry oversees only one civil service directorate, on financial-economic affairs, which is also part of the economy ministry.

Outgoing climate and energy minister Rob Jetten encouraged Hermans to "continue on the green course" started in the last government, highlighting the independence from Russian gas and continued investments into renewables and insulation as large achievements of the outgoing government.

By Till Stehr