The Netherlands is set to inaugurate a new prime minister, replacing Mark Rutte seven months after right-wing populists emerged as the top party in the general election. Dick Schoof, who succeeds Rutte, is pledging to implement a stringent asylum policy.

Former Dutch intelligence chief Dick Schoof is set to be sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday. He will lead a coalition government that pledges to implement the Netherlands' strictest-ever asylum and immigration policy.

Succeeding departing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, 67-year-old Schoof, an Independent candidate, assumes office after Rutte's departure to become NATO's next secretary-general following a 14-year tenure in The Hague.

Schoof's inauguration follows a general election seven months ago, where Geert Wilders' PVV emerged as the largest party. Traditionally, the leader of the largest party would become prime minister, but Wilders renounced the role to accommodate coalition partners from the Farmers Party (BBB), the liberal-conservative VVD, and the new anti-corruption NSC, whose leaders also declined the role.

Instead, Schoof emerged as a compromise candidate, endorsed by King Willem-Alexander.

Despite stating his intention to be "a prime minister for all citizens of the Netherlands" and asserting he won't be "held on a string by Mr. Wilders," Schoof has committed to implementing the country's toughest-ever asylum policy and comprehensive migration control measures.

A former member of the Labor Party, Schoof has garnered support from left-wing opposition leader Frans Timmermans, who characterized him as "firmly Wilders' candidate."

In his spare time, Schoof, an amateur marathon runner, faces the challenge of maintaining coalition unity and resisting pressure from Wilders, known for his populist rhetoric on social media.

"He will face significant challenges in managing ideological and personal conflicts. However, given his extensive experience leading various government agencies, he is well-prepared to navigate these challenges," commented Sarah de Lange, a politics professor at the University of Amsterdam.

As former spy chief, Schoof led the Dutch investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014 over separatist-held eastern Ukraine, a tragedy that claimed 298 lives, including 196 Dutch citizens, after being struck by a Russian-made BUK missile fired from territory held by pro-Moscow militants.