Senior civil servant Dick Schoof was the fifth choice to succeed Mark Rutte as prime minister after a string of other prospective candidates said no, sources have told the Telegraaf.

It was already common knowledge that SER thinktank chief Kim Putters and CDA politician Marnix van Rij had turned down the office after PVV leader Geert Wilders’ first choice Ronald Plasterk’s position became untenable when questions arose around his handling of a patent for a cancer medicine.

The BBB wanted prospective housing minister Mona Keijzer to take on the job, sources revealed, while SGP heavyweight Kees van de Staaij and negotiators Richard van Zwol (CDA) and Elbert Dijkgraaf (SGP) were also approached.

On Monday Schoof and his ministerial team are meeting for the first time at the Binnenhof, the parliamentary complex in The Hague, where the portfolios for the incoming cabinet will be handed out.

The new cabinet is set to pose with the king on the steps of Huis ten Bosch palace after being sworn in on Tuesday.