Dutch Government Collapses After Geert Wilders Pulls Far-Right Party from Coalition
The Dutch government has officially collapsed after far-right leader Geert Wilders withdrew his Party for Freedom (PVV) from the ruling coalition, citing unmet demands on asylum and immigration policy. The move has triggered political upheaval just months before a scheduled NATO summit in The Hague.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof Resigns After Coalition Breaks
In a press statement delivered Tuesday, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed his resignation and stated that he would submit the cabinet’s resignation to King Willem-Alexander before the end of the day.
“As far as I’m concerned, this shouldn’t have happened,” Schoof said, calling Wilders’ decision “reckless and unnecessary.”
The governing coalition had only been in power since July 2024, following months of negotiation after the 2023 elections. The alliance included Schoof’s conservative-liberal VVD, the Farmers’ Citizen Movement (BBB), the New Social Contract (NSC), and Wilders’ PVV, which had emerged as the largest party in the 2023 elections.
Immigration Dispute Sparks Collapse
The coalition collapsed following Wilders’ demands for 10 additional asylum restrictions, including:
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A freeze on new asylum applications
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Halting the construction of refugee reception centers
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Restrictions on family reunification
When these demands were not met, Wilders posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“No signature for our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition.”
Schoof made a final appeal to coalition leaders Tuesday morning, but the emergency meeting reportedly lasted just one minute before Wilders exited, marking the end of the fragile alliance.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The political backlash was swift:
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Deputy Prime Minister Mona Keijzer (BBB) accused Wilders of betraying the country:
“I think Wilders is selling out the Netherlands.”
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VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz called the move “deeply irresponsible.”
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The opposition Socialist Party celebrated the collapse, with leader Jimmy Dijk saying the country had been “freed from a political hostage situation.”
Many coalition members also noted that several of Wilders’ demands were already partially addressed in the coalition agreement but were delayed due to legal complications.
What Happens Next?
With the cabinet dissolved, current ministers will stay on in a caretaker role until a new election date is set. The timing is particularly sensitive, as the Netherlands is set to host the NATO summit later this month.
Despite the chaos, experts believe the immediate economic impact will be minimal. According to Sandra Phlippen, Chief Economist at ABN AMRO:
“This government barely made any concrete plans during its 11 months in office.”
Is Wilders Betting on New Elections?
Some political analysts believe Wilders engineered the crisis to regain public support, as his approval ratings have been slipping in recent polls. By forcing an election over immigration, he may be hoping to refocus attention on an issue central to his political identity.
However, as Chatham House’s Europe Program Director Armida van Rij noted:
“Wilders has been responsible for asylum policy for nearly a year—there’s no guarantee that the public will reward him for blowing up the coalition over it.”