Dutch far-right leader Wilders exits coalition, collapses government
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Geert Wilders’ PVV exits the Dutch ruling coalition over asylum policy, collapsing the government and risking new elections ahead of a key NATO summit in The Hague.
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Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders, after pulling his party out of the four-party Dutch coalition in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 (AP)
Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders and his PVV party withdrew from the governing coalition on Tuesday, a move expected to collapse the right-wing government and potentially trigger new elections.
Wilders stated that his coalition partners refused to back his proposals to curb asylum migration, adding that he had notified Prime Minister Dick Schoof of his PVV party's decision to withdraw all its ministers from the government, though Schoof has yet to respond to the resignations.
Geen handtekening voor onze asielplannen.
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) June 3, 2025
Geen aanpassing Hoofdlijnenakkoord.
PVV verlaat de coalitie.
Wilders' unexpected decision collapses an already unstable coalition that had failed to find common ground since forming last July, likely forcing new elections within months and increasing political instability in the eurozone's fifth-largest economy.
The government's collapse will also potentially postpone a landmark decision on boosting defense spending to meet NATO requirements, while leaving the Netherlands under a caretaker administration as it prepares to host NATO leaders later this month in The Hague for a critical summit on these spending targets.
Outrage takes over coalition
Wilders' decision to withdraw from the coalition has drawn sharp criticism and rebukes from the PVV's coalition partners.
The leader of the conservative VVD party, Dilan Yesilgoz, criticized the move, saying it makes the Netherlands appear irresponsible at a time when Europe faces war, accusing Wilders of shirking leadership when decisive action is needed.
The leader of the centrist NSC party, Nicolien van Vroonhoven, called the government's collapse astonishing, condemning it as reckless timing that jeopardizes stability.
Last week, Wilders had pushed for urgent approval of his controversial migration policies, which included implementing a total freeze on asylum applications, deporting Syrian refugees back to their homeland, and shutting down all asylum reception centers across the Netherlands.
The coalition partners rejected Wilders' demands, arguing that the migration minister from his own PVV party should develop concrete policy measures instead, despite Wilders not holding an official government position as either prime minister or a cabinet member.
Wilders, who was found guilty of discrimination in 2016 for anti-Moroccan remarks made during a 2014 campaign event, ultimately secured a coalition agreement with three conservative parties in 2023 only after abandoning his attempt to become prime minister.
