Geert Wilders: Dutch far-right leader accused of 'ego-trip' after coalition government collapses
Geert Wilders has blown up Dutch politics by taking his party out of the governing right-wing coalition.
Tuesday's move makes fresh elections inevitable, but new polls may not deliver clarity and stability for the Netherlands.
Mr Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) left the ruling coalition after a row over immigration policy - a subject he has campaigned on for all of his political career.
He wanted his coalition partners to agree to his 10-point plan, which includes using the military to seal the country's borders to all asylum seekers, closing asylum centres and returning all Syrian nationals who have either applied for asylum or been granted temporary visas.
Mr Wilders is a hugely divisive figure in Dutch politics - seen by some as a bold leader who speaks his mind and understands the frustrations of normal people; derided by others as a toxic populist who empowers bigots and racists.
Even though the PVV was the biggest party in the 2023 election, his coalition partners refused to allow him to become prime minister. Instead, Dick Schoof, formerly a senior civil servant, was installed as a consensus candidate.
The PVV's popularity has fallen slightly over the past year. It is still - probably - the most popular party in the country, but only by a fraction.
The left has strengthened in that time, while it's likely that the centre-right VVD, which propelled Mark Rutte to multiple victories, has rediscovered its mojo.
Mr Wilders' plan might be that he is fed up with compromises and believes that, if he's included in any future coalition, then the members need to sign up to his strident views on migration.
But in the short term, he has caused chaos and bewildered the other members of his government.
The VVD's Dilan Yesilgov said she was furious: "We had a right-wing majority and he's let it all go for the sake of his ego," she said.
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