The Netherlands: What led to the fall of the government and what is happening?
The withdrawal of far -right politician Geert Wilders from the right coalition led Tuesday to collapse government in the Netherlands, pushing the Dutch Council of Ministers and Prime Minister Dick Dikov to resign.
The removal of Wilders occurred after a disagreement over the anti -immigration measures proposed by his party.
What caused Wilders to leave
Wilders announced the departure of his right -wing party, the PVV party, from the 11 -month -old Dutch coalition government. Wilders said the other three coalition parties failed to support his plans to tighten asylum for refugees.
« No signature in the context of our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition, « Wilders wrote in a post on X on Tuesday after a brief meeting in parliament with party leaders. In addition to PVV, the Coalition included the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmers-Politics Movement (BBB) and the new social contract (NSC).
Geen Handtekening Voor onze Asielplannen.
Geen Aanpassing Hoofdlijnenakkoord.
PVV Verlaat de Coalitie.
– Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) JUNE 3, 2025
On May 26, Wilders announced a 10 -point plan for the extensive cut of immigration, the development of army officers at the Dutch land borders and the rejection of all asylum seekers. Wilders had threatened, then, that his party would leave the Coalition if migrant policy is not hardened. Post by Al Jazeera.
The four parties held 88 seats in the House of Representatives of the country with 150 seats.
The majority limit in the House is 76 seats. Retirement leaves the coalition with fewer seats, making it impossible to continue governance.
The resignation
After Vilders announced the departure, an extraordinary cabinet was convened. After that, the Schofla announced that he would resign, a few hours after PVV’s departure.
Zojuist Heb Ik Het ontslag Van de PVV-Bewindspersonen Aangeboden Bij Koning Willem-Alexander. Daarbij Heb Ik Gemeld Dat de Overige Bewindspersonen, Inclusief Ikzelf, Hun Functie Ter Beschikking Stellen. Wij Gaan Demissionair Door. pic.twitter.com/biyksbiqfu
– Dick Schoof (@minpres) JUNE 3, 2025
« I have repeatedly told party leaders in recent days that the collapse of the cabinet would be unnecessary and irresponsible, » the comrade at an extraordinary cabinet meeting said. « We face great challenges both at national and internationally that require us determination. »
Reactions of Dutch leaders
Other coalition leaders described Wilders as « irresponsible » and accused him of putting his own political interests over the country.
« There is a war on our continent. Instead of responding to the challenge, Wilders shows that he is not willing to take responsibility, « said Dylan Yesilgos, a VVD leader, who has 24 seats in Parliament.
« It is irresponsible to throw the government at this point, » NSC leader Nicolen Van Vronhoven told Wilders. NSC has 20 seats.
The head of the opposition Green Left-Laboratory Alliance Franz Timmers said he « sees no other way of forming a stable government » despite early elections.
What is next
The comin will now formally submit his resignation to the head of the state, the Dutch King William0-Alexander. After that, elections are expected to be announced. It is likely that the elections will take place sometime in October or November, Al Jazeera said.
Since May 31, polls show that Wilders’ PVV has lost a little of its support, from 23% in 2023 elections to 20%.
Dutch far -right leader Geert Wilders speaks in the media. Reuters/Piroschka Van de Wouw
This brings the party to almost the same level as the Green Left-Labor Party, which has 19% support and 25 seats in the Lower House, the second largest number of seats after PVV.
The fragmented policy of the Netherlands makes it difficult to predict which party to win the election. It is unlikely that one party will win the majority of 76 seats and it may take months to form a coalition. According to data from the Dutch electoral authority, no single party has ever won the majority of the first direct elections of 1848.
What is true until the election
The graduation said he and the other coalition ministers would continue to hold their positions in a government until a new government is formed after the elections.
The political crisis is coming as the Netherlands has planned to host NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague on June 24-25. Mark Rutte, today’s NATO Secretary -General, was prime minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. Rutte was attached to the VVD.
The Schofo had also participated in European efforts to provide Ukraine support in its war against Russia. In February, the Dutch prime minister was present at a meeting with other European leaders in Paris, where they pledged to provide Ukraine security guarantees.
