The Crown Prince congratulates the new Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Choof
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a cable of congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Dick Schoof on the occasion of his swearing-in and the formation of the new government in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In his cable, His Royal Highness expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success and prosperity to His Excellency and to the friendly people of the Netherlands, emphasizing the importance of the relations between the two countries.
A new political context in the Netherlands
The formation of this new government comes after a period of profound political shifts in the Netherlands, marking the end of the nearly 14-year reign of former Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The current government is the result of lengthy and complex negotiations that lasted for more than six months following the general election held in November 2023. That election saw a remarkable rise of the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, which won the largest number of seats, leading to the formation of a right-wing coalition – the first of its kind in the country's modern history – comprising, in addition to Wilders' party, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the New Social Contract Party (NSC), and the Farmers and Citizens Movement (BBB).
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The formation of this government is of paramount importance both domestically and in Europe. Domestically, this shift represents a radical change in the Dutch political landscape, with the adoption of stricter policies on immigration and asylum, which the ruling coalition has described as “the toughest asylum policy ever.” Regionally, the rise of the right wing to power in a founding member of the European Union like the Netherlands is being closely watched by Brussels, as it could influence the EU’s direction on key issues such as climate policy, future enlargement, and financial support for Ukraine.
Saudi-Dutch relations: A strategic partnership
The Crown Prince's congratulations to the new Dutch Prime Minister underscore the depth of the strategic and economic ties between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a significant trading partner for the Kingdom and a key gateway for its exports to Europe via the Port of Rotterdam, the largest port on the continent. Areas of cooperation between the two countries encompass vital sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, food security, and agricultural technology. Under Saudi Vision 2030, opportunities for collaboration with leading Dutch companies in renewable energy, water management, and sustainable development are growing, opening new horizons for strengthening this fruitful partnership in the future.
