The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) has officially exited the Netherlands’ government over contentious policies regarding asylum-seekers, a move announced by its leader, Geert Wilders, on Tuesday. This decision has resulted in the collapse of the governing coalition, creating significant turmoil in Dutch politics. “I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands,” Wilders stated during a press briefing. “And our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends here,” he added, highlighting his discontent with the current coalition's approach to immigration.
Wilders’ withdrawal of support from what is considered the most right-leaning government in Dutch history has left Prime Minister Dick Schoof's administration with only 51 out of 150 seats in the parliament. This radical shift has prompted opposition leaders to call for immediate elections, intensifying the political crisis. Prime Minister Schoof, who has had policy disagreements with Wilders, has not yet issued a statement regarding the coalition's future.
Current polling indicates that if elections were held today, the PVV would likely lose seats but still remain the largest party in parliament, slightly ahead of the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy. However, this standing does not guarantee that the PVV would secure a position in a new government. The complex landscape of Dutch politics features a multitude of parties, none of which has historically been able to achieve a majority of votes. Polls suggest that both center-right and center-left parties may benefit from potential new elections, further complicating the political landscape.
The PVV had emerged as a significant force following the November 2023 elections. Despite this, a coalition agreement reached after protracted negotiations meant that while Wilders’ party joined the government, he remained sidelined in parliament. Wilders is known for his strong anti-Islam and anti-immigrant sentiments. His controversial remarks in the past have led to legal consequences, including a conviction for discrimination stemming from a 2014 campaign rally where he insulted Moroccan immigrants. The PVV has also advocated for extreme measures such as banning Islamic schools, Qurans, and mosques.
Last week, Wilders held a rare formal press conference where he presented the government with an ultimatum demanding stricter asylum policies. This was particularly notable given that the minister for asylum and migration is a member of his own party. “The PVV promised voters the strictest asylum policy ever, aiming to make it the strictest in all of Europe,” Wilders declared on Tuesday. “We proposed a plan to close the borders to asylum seekers, to stop them, to send them away. To stop building asylum-seeker centers and to close existing ones,” he explained. However, he stated that the coalition had rejected his proposals, leading him to conclude that withdrawing support was the only viable option.
