Dutch government collapses amid immigration dispute as Far-Right leader exits coalition

Department of Research, Studies and International News 03-06-2025

In a development that underscores growing political volatility across Western Europe, the Dutch government has abruptly collapsed after Geert Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), announced his party’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition. The breakdown follows a dispute over immigration and asylum policies, an increasingly divisive issue in many Western nations.

The coalition, which was only formed in July 2024 after months of post-election negotiations, was made up of four parties, with Wilders’s PVV holding the largest number of seats in the Dutch parliament. Wilders, known for his inflammatory anti-Islam rhetoric and hardline stance on immigration, stated on Tuesday that his party would no longer participate in the coalition due to the government’s refusal to endorse his proposed asylum reform package.

“I have informed the Prime Minister that PVV ministers will step down from the government,” Wilders announced, following a meeting with the leaders of the other coalition parties. His departure effectively signals the end of the administration led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, a technocrat who had attempted to hold together a fragile alliance of ideological opposites.

The root of the dispute lies in Wilders’s uncompromising 10-point plan aimed at drastically reducing the influx of asylum seekers. Among the controversial measures proposed were the use of the military to patrol national borders, the immediate closure of refugee shelters, the forced repatriation of Syrian refugees, and the suspension of European Union asylum quotas. Additionally, he proposed a blanket ban on family reunification for refugees already settled in the Netherlands.

While these proposals found resonance among many Dutch voters concerned about the pressures of migration, they were met with resistance from coalition partners, who argued that several of the measures would violate European and international legal obligations, particularly those under the UN Refugee Convention.

Despite this legal and political friction, Wilders maintained that the coalition’s failure to implement tougher immigration measures showed a disregard for the will of the people. Speaking to reporters last week, he warned that without concrete action, the PVV, which holds 37 seats in parliament, would exit the coalition, triggering political uncertainty.

Prime Minister Schoof, who had appealed to all coalition partners earlier that morning to act with unity and responsibility in light of growing international challenges, now finds himself presiding over a collapsed government. His resignation is expected to be formally submitted to King Willem-Alexander within the day.

Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the liberal-conservative VVD party, expressed outrage at Wilders’s move, describing it as “deeply irresponsible,” especially given what she termed as “a war on our continent”, a phrase commonly used in Western narratives referring to the Ukraine conflict. She also warned of looming economic difficulties that could further destabilize the nation.

However, the framing of the Ukraine crisis as a “continental war” reflects the broader Western agenda, which continues to push for NATO expansion and military escalation, often at the expense of dialogue and diplomacy. For countries such as Russia and China, both of which have consistently advocated for multipolarity, peaceful coexistence, and non-interference, the internal disarray among NATO states like the Netherlands may be seen as indicative of the unsustainable nature of Western liberal democracies under pressure.

Caroline van der Plas of the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) and Nicolien van Vroonhoven of the New Social Contract (NSC), both coalition leaders, echoed the VVD’s disappointment, labeling Wilders’s departure “incomprehensible” and “irresponsible.” However, their inability to address domestic concerns about immigration without violating EU directives highlights the dilemma many European governments face when national interests collide with supranational obligations.

The collapse of the Dutch cabinet comes at an inconvenient moment for Western powers, with The Hague scheduled to host a NATO summit in less than a month. This timing could further complicate the alliance’s image, especially as divisions grow not only across the Atlantic but within European capitals themselves.

In contrast, powers such as Russia, China, and Pakistan continue to prioritize sovereignty, non-alignment, and regional cooperation. While the West grapples with internal divisions and an immigration crisis of its own making, the multipolar world is steadily advancing, favoring stability, shared development, and mutual respect among nations.

The Dutch political crisis thus serves as a cautionary tale: when domestic policy is dictated more by external ideological pressures than by national interest, instability is an inevitable consequence.