London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 08, 2025

Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition

Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government on Tuesday in a row over immigration, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in snap elections.
ilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy", agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023.

"No signature for our asylum plans... PVV leaves the coalition," said Wilders on X, formerly Twitter, referring to his far-right Freedom Party.

The withdrawal opens up a period of political uncertainty in the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter, as far-right parties make gains across the continent.

The latest government crisis also comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a NATO summit.

Last-ditch crisis talks on Tuesday morning lasted barely half an hour before the leaders of the four coalition parties came out in a testy mood.

"I have just informed the prime minister that I will withdraw the PVV ministers from the cabinet and that we can no longer bear responsibility for this," said Wilders.

"I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands and that our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends at this moment," he added.

Eighteen months after his surprise election win sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest.

However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the left-wing Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind.

The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, are also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought.

VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz, visibly angry, described Wilders' move as "super irresponsible", adding she was afraid it would open the door to left-wing parties.

"How can you do this to the Netherlands?" she told reporters.

In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience was up" with the government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration was not implemented within a few weeks.

His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime.

Summarising his demands, he said: "Close the borders for asylum seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centres opened. Close them."

Political and legal experts criticised the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government.

The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views -- and instantly recognisable bouffant hairstyle.

His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate.

The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs.

Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates.

He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister.

However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners.

He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD -- currently an uneasy coalition partner -- is less certain.

The fourth party in the current coalition -- the anti-corruption New Social Contract -- has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down.

Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections.

In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8 percent.

And in Britain, polls show the anti-immigration, hard-right Reform UK party of Nigel Farage is making significant gains following a breakthrough in local elections.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
×