The Dutch government collapsed on Tuesday after far-right leader Geert Wilders withdrew his Party for Freedom (PVV) from the ruling coalition, citing the coalition’s refusal to adopt his strict immigration proposals.
Wilders, whose party won the 2023 general election with around 23% of the vote but failed to gather enough support to become prime minister, had demanded support for a 10-point asylum plan to sharply reduce migration, which includes halting asylum applications, suspending refugee family reunifications, and deploying military forces to guard borders. However, when coalition partners failed to agree to the plan, he withdrew his support.
The decision has effectively collapsed the fragile four-party government led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, barely 11 months after it was formed. Coalition partners condemned the move, with People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) leader Dilan Yesilgöz calling it “super irresponsible,” while Farmers-Citizen Movement (BBB) leader accused Wilders of prioritizing his own interests ahead of the country.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders welcomed the collapse, with Labour-Green leader Frans Timmermans calling for immediate elections, arguing the government’s failure showed far-right parties as unfit to lead.
