Dutch Government Collapses Amid Asylum Dispute
The Netherlands is facing a period of political uncertainty after the government’s collapse over a dispute on asylum policies. According to a report by the BBC, the coalition government, led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, collapsed after the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders, withdrew from the coalition.
The row which led to its collapse came after Wilders pushed for 10 additional asylum measures, including a freeze on applications, halting the construction of reception centres, and limiting family reunification. The BBC reports that Schoof had made a last-minute appeal to coalition party leaders, but the meeting lasted just one minute before Wilders walked out, ending the coalition.
As the news of the government’s collapse broke, Wilders took to social media to announce that his party would not be signing the coalition’s asylum plans. "No signature for our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition," he said. The move has sparked shock and anger among political leaders, with many pointing out that several of Wilders’ demands were similar to policies already in the coalition agreement.
The coalition, which was formed in July 2024, was characterised by infighting and struggled to push through policies. The PVV, which was the largest party in the coalition, had been pushing for stricter asylum policies, but its demands were met with resistance from other coalition partners. The VVD leader, Dilan Yesilgoz, described Wilders’ move as "super irresponsible", adding that "this wasn’t about asylum at all."
The collapse of the government has put an end to an uneasy governing coalition that was born after months of political wrangling following elections the previous year. The coalition consisted of the conservative-liberal VVD, the Farmers’ Citizen Movement (BBB), and the centrist New Social Contract, in addition to the PVV.
Wilders’ decision has been seen as reckless by many, with some accusing him of engineering the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Mona Keijzer from the BBB said that Wilders was "betraying the Netherlands." However, Wilders appears to feel emboldened, telling reporters that he intended to become prime minister of the Netherlands "and ensure that the PVV becomes bigger than ever in the next elections."
The economic impact of the government’s collapse appears to be minimal, according to Sandra Phlippen, the chief economist for ABN AMRO bank. She noted that during its 11 months in office, the government had "barely made any concrete plans." However, the collapse has sparked concerns about the country’s ability to form a new government, with some predicting that it could lead to further instability.
The Netherlands is set to return to the polls, likely in the autumn, according to Dutch media. In the meantime, Schoof’s ministers will seek to remain in power in a caretaker capacity until a date is set for the country to return to the polls. The collapse of the government has also raised concerns about the country’s ability to host the Nato summit, which is due to be held in The Hague at the end of the month.
As the country faces a period of uncertainty, it remains to be seen how Wilders’ gamble will pay off. The parties that were reluctant or refused to go into government with Wilders after the last election are likely to find that kind of partnership even less attractive now. By toppling the coalition over the issue of asylum, it is likely that Wilders will put it at the centre of his upcoming election campaign.
The BBC reports that Wilders’ party had been responsible for asylum and immigration for almost a year, but there are no guarantees that such a gamble will pay off. As the country prepares for a new election, one thing is certain – the Netherlands is in for a period of political uncertainty.
According to Armida van Rij, the Head of the Europe Programme at Chatham House, Wilders wanted the government to collapse as the support for his Freedom Party continues to drop in the polls. The far-right and Green-Left parties are neck-and-neck, with migration and cost-of-living issues fuelling political volatility across Europe.
The Dutch political system requires forming a majority coalition in the 150-seat parliament, making it challenging for Wilders to become prime minister. Even if he surpasses expectations, perceptions that he is putting personal ambition above national stability could further complicate his ability to form alliances after the next election.
This series of events have called into question, the country’s leadership at a critical time. The developments in Netherlands have wide ranging implications. To understand more about these developments this article has been informed by reporting from the BBC.
