The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), withdrew his party from the ruling coalition over a dispute on immigration and asylum policy.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof submitted his resignation and that of his 11-month-old cabinet to King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday. Remaining ministers will remain in a caretaker capacity until new elections, likely in October.
Schoof told reporters in The Hague that the coalition lacked sufficient support and described Wilders’s decision as “irresponsible and unnecessary”. Wilders said he would campaign to strengthen the PVV and aim to become prime minister next time.
The PVV’s withdrawal followed the rejection of Wilders’s radical proposals, which included deploying the army to patrol borders, turning back all asylum seekers, and closing refugee facilities. Legal experts noted that several proposals breached European human rights laws or the UN refugee convention.
Coalition partners reacted with anger. VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz called the move “super-irresponsible” and accused Wilders of prioritising his ego. BBB leader Caroline van der Plas and NSC’s Nicolien van Vroonhoven also expressed fury. Opposition leader Frans Timmermans called for snap elections, which polls suggest would see the PVV’s support fall to around 20%.
