The Dutch government has collapsed less than a year after it was formed, following the abrupt withdrawal of far-right leader Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) from the ruling coalition. The dramatic exit, triggered by a dispute over asylum policy, is expected to lead to snap elections later this year.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s last-ditch effort to salvage the coalition failed on Tuesday morning, with Wilders walking out of a meeting with coalition leaders after just one minute. In a post on social media platform X, Wilders declared, “No signature for our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition.”

Immigration Dispute Sparks Collapse

Wilders had demanded the adoption of 10 additional asylum measures, including a freeze on new asylum applications, a halt to the construction of reception centers, and strict limits on family reunification. Although some of these measures overlapped with existing policies agreed upon during the coalition’s formation, others were previously rejected on legal grounds during negotiations.

His coalition partners — the conservative-liberal VVD, the agrarian BBB (Farmers’ Citizen Movement), and the centrist New Social Contract — expressed frustration and disbelief at his decision to pull the plug on the government.

“This wasn’t about asylum at all,” said VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz, calling Wilders’ move “super irresponsible.” Deputy Prime Minister Mona Keijzer of the BBB went further, saying, “I think Wilders is betraying the Netherlands.”

A Fragile Coalition from the Start

The governing alliance, formed in July 2024 after lengthy talks following national elections, had always been an uneasy partnership. Though Wilders’ PVV emerged as the largest party, ideological differences and competing priorities among the four parties made for a fragile coalition.

Many observers now believe Wilders orchestrated the government’s collapse amid declining support for his party in the polls. Political analysts suggest he may attempt to rally voters around his anti-immigration platform in a new election campaign, placing asylum policy at the forefront.

However, the gamble is risky. Wilders’ party was in charge of immigration policy during its time in government, and the lack of significant progress could undermine his credibility with voters.

Political Fallout and What Comes Next

The opposition has welcomed the collapse. Jimmy Dijk, leader of the Socialist Party, said the country had been “liberated from a political hostage situation,” labeling the coalition “four right-wing quarrelsome parties that achieve nothing.”

Meanwhile, economic analysts see little immediate impact from the fall of the cabinet. ABN AMRO’s chief economist, Sandra Phlippen, noted that the government had produced “barely any concrete plans” during its short time in power.

Dutch media offered scathing assessments of the political failure. The NRC newspaper wrote that a cabinet “supposed to stand up for the citizens was destroyed by amateurism and incompetence.”

Prime Minister Schoof is expected to convene an emergency cabinet meeting this afternoon and will likely submit the government’s resignation to King Willem-Alexander before the end of the day.

While new elections are anticipated in the autumn, another option could see Schoof continue to lead a caretaker or minority government. However, any functional minority administration would require fragile cooperation with left-wing opposition parties — a scenario that appears politically unviable. Labour-Green leader Frans Timmermans has already called for immediate fresh elections.

With the NATO summit set to take place in The Hague later this month, Schoof and his ministers are expected to remain in office in a caretaker role until a new government can be elected and formed.