The Freedom Party (PVV) of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders withdrew from the ruling coalition on Tuesday, the 3rd of June, which will most likely lead to the collapse of the right-wing government and new elections, according to Reuters and Politico.
Possible snap elections would come at a time when far-right forces are gaining influence in Europe.
Wilders said his party was leaving because the other three coalition partners were not prepared to immediately support his “ten-point plan” to stop the migration of asylum seekers.
“The PVV promised voters the strictest refugee policy,” including a proposal to “close the borders to asylum seekers,” Wilders told reporters on Tuesday morning. When his coalition partners refused to immediately sign the plans, “I had no choice but to say: we refuse to support this cabinet,” he said.
He said he had informed Prime Minister Dick Schoof that all ministers from his PVV party would leave the government.
He added: “I promised to a stricter asylum policy, not the destruction of the Netherlands.”
Wilders’ unexpected move puts an end to an already unstable coalition that has struggled to reach any kind of consensus since it was formed in July last year.
The prospect of new elections increases political uncertainty in the eurozone’s fifth-largest economy.
This is likely to delay a decision on increasing defence spending to meet new NATO targets and leave the Netherlands in the hands of a caretaker government when it hosts world leaders at a NATO summit in The Hague this month.
Meanwhile, Wilders’ coalition partners reacted with disbelief and outrage.
“There is a war going on in our continent. Instead of rising to the challenge, Wilders is showing that he is not ready to take responsibility,” said Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the conservative VVD party.
“At this moment, it is irresponsible to bring down the government,” said centrist NSC party leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven.
After the PVV’s departure, the remaining parties have the opportunity to try to continue working in a minority government, although this is not expected.
Opposition leader Frans Timmermans said that new elections were the only option.
“I don’t see any other way to form a stable government,” said the leader of the Labour/Green coalition.
Wilders won the last election in November 2023 with a surprisingly large majority, winning 23% of the vote, but recent polls show that he has lost some support since joining the government.
Polls show that support for his party currently stands at around 20%, roughly the same as the Labour/Green coalition, which is currently the second largest party in parliament.
Wilders’ ten-point plan included closing the borders to all asylum seekers, sending Syrian refugees back to their home country and closing asylum centres.
Other ideas included deporting migrants convicted of serious crimes and using the army to strengthen border controls.
Wilders, who was convicted of discrimination in 2016, did not join the government himself.
Unable to gain support to become prime minister, he formed a coalition with three conservative parties. The cabinet is led by Schoof.