Calls for new elections after Dutch far-right party exits government
Calls are growing for snap elections in the Netherlands after the far-right party of populist Geert Wilders withdrew from government in a dispute over migration policy, breaking apart the four-way coalition.
Dutch opposition politicians immediately demanded new elections after firebrand Wilders withdrew his Party of Freedom (PVV) from the coalition.
"The Netherlands deserves a government that unites the people and works shoulder to shoulder on real solutions," said Frans Timmermans, leader of the largest opposition group in parliament. "It's time for elections, we are ready for them."
Wilders pulls the plug
Wilders threatened on Sunday to pull out his anti-Islam PVV - the strongest force in parliament - unless the four-party coalition agreed to his demands on a stricter immigration policy.
His party's 10-point plan included measures such as the closure of Dutch borders to asylum seekers, the closure of asylum seeker reception centres and an end to family reunification for recognized refugees.
"No sign-off for our asylum plans, no adjustment of the coalition agreement. The PVV is leaving the coalition," Wilders wrote on X after failed consultations with the other parties on Monday evening.
During the meeting, the other parties told Wilders to introduce a draft bill on his plans or a motion for a resolution to discuss them. However, the far-right leader was unwilling to go down that road, insisting on the implementation of his 10-point plan.
"I couldn't do anything other than say that we would withdraw our support for this Cabinet," he later said, adding that the PVV ministers would resign.
The future of the government hangs in the balance following the PVV's withdrawal, with snap elections considered to be likely. The remaining three parties could potentially continue as an even more fragile minority government. Cabinet members were due to convene for a crisis meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The PVV, who emerged as the strongest force from parliamentary elections in November 2023, has called for the military to be deployed to protect the country's borders in case they are not shut to asylum seekers.
Wilders also called for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to be sent back to their home country. Offenders with dual citizenship should be deported and lose Dutch nationality, according to the PVV's plans.
Opposition up in arms
Opposition leader Timmermans, who heads the Labour Party, said the collapsed government has led the country to a standstill, while war is being waged in Europe and people are worried about their future.
He described the failed four-party ruling alliance as powerless, disunited and ridden by conflict.
"That's what happens when you give power to extremes," Timmermans concluded.
The leader of the Socialist Party, Jimmy Dijk, also called for new elections - "preferably as soon as possible."
An alliance doomed to fail?
Following their surprise win in the parliamentary elections, the PVV became part of a coalition government for the first time, striking a deal with the conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB).
But the centre-right coalition led by independent Prime Minister Dick Schoof was considered fragile from the outset, with the NSC in particular harbouring serious doubts as to whether Wilders' PVV would respect the constitution.
The NSC and VVD have accused PVV Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber of incompetence.
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