Prime minister faces fire risk fine if he does not move office
![](/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG_20170715_114120620.jpg)
The Hague’s mayor Jan van Zanen has threatened the prime minister and his civil service team with a fine of €100,000 a week if they don’t vacate his offices within four weeks, because of the fire risk.
The entire Binnenhof parliamentary complex is currently being renovated but Dick Schoof had been hoping to stay in the “torentje” – the prime minister’s tower office, until the end of the year.
According to the state property service, Schoof and his ministerial team are willing to leave, but can’t because of computer security issues. In particular, the special system “used to store state secrets” is not yet working, broadcaster NOS said.
The fire brigade have been warning about the risk of fire at the complex since 2015 and a new report shows that the risk is now “unacceptable”. Van Zanen said that while he is aware of the “fear of cyber security break-ins… the physical safety of people working in the Binnenhof always has priority.”
MPs and senators left the complex for temporary accommodation several years ago. The renovation, which will take until 2028 at least, will cost at least €2 billion.
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Make a donation