Dutch government collapses amid migration dispute

Hague

The Dutch government has collapsed following the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV)’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition, party leader Geert Wilders announced on Tuesday. The move, prompted by disagreements over asylum migration policy, is expected to trigger new elections and has plunged the Netherlands into political uncertainty.

Wilders, whose PVV won last year’s elections but who did not take a government role himself, cited the coalition’s failure to adopt tougher asylum measures as the reason for his party’s exit. “No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition,” he posted on X. He confirmed informing Prime Minister Dick Schoof that all PVV ministers would resign.

Prime Minister Schoof, a non-partisan leader appointed to head the coalition, has not issued a public response. The right-wing coalition, formed in July last year, was strained from the start. Wilders had demanded a full stop to asylum migration, closure of shelters, and repatriation of Syrian refugees—proposals that faced resistance from coalition partners.

The departure has sparked criticism from former allies. VVD party leader Dilan Yesilgoz said, “This is making us look like a fool,” accusing Wilders of abandoning responsibility amid ongoing European conflicts. Nicolien van Vroonhoven, head of the centrist NSC, called the collapse “irresponsible.” With the PVV gone, forming a minority government appears unlikely. The country is now preparing for fresh elections and may face delays in key policy decisions, including defense spending ahead of an upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.