The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders withdrew his far-right party from the governing coalition, less than a year after it was formed.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed he was stepping down on Tuesday, and is expected to offer the resignation of the cabinet to King Willem-Alexander before the end of the day.
In televised remarks following an emergency cabinet meeting, Schoof said Wilders’ decision to withdraw the support of his PVV party was “irresponsible and unnecessary”.
With the Nato summit due to be held in the Hague at the end of the month, it is likely that Schoof’s ministers will remain in power in a caretaker capacity until a date is set for the Netherlands to return to the polls.
Schoof had made a last-minute appeal to coalition party leaders on Tuesday morning, but the meeting lasted just one minute before Wilders walked out, ending the coalition.
Wilders had asked for 10 additional asylum measures, including a freeze on asylum applications, halting the construction of reception centres and limiting family reunification.
“No signature for our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition,” said Wilders on X.
There was shock and anger among political leaders, many of whom pointed out that several of Wilders’ demands were similar to policies already in the coalition agreement, and that they would not stand in the PVV’s way to implement them.
Many of the additional proposals put forward by Wilders had been dismissed during coalition talks because of legal concerns.
Wilders’ decision has put an end to an uneasy governing coalition which was born in July 2024 after months of political wrangling following elections the previous year.
Credit: bbc.com
