The government of the Netherlands collapsed Tuesday after legislator Geert Wilders withdrew his right-wing Freedom Party (PVV) from the coalition in response to a dispute over asylum and immigration.
Wilders made the decision after three other parties in the coalition opposed his proposals on immigration, saying he had “signed up for the toughest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands.”
Although he was not a cabinet member, Wilders advocated for the coalition government, which included the VVD, the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), and the centrist New Social Contract (NSC), to adopt a 10-point plan to significantly reduce immigration and asylum.
Wilders’ plan included military security and patrols along the country’s borders to prevent infiltration from other European countries by those who then claim asylum, and closure of refugee accommodation facilities. He also urged the government to suspend European Union asylum quotas, return Syrian refugees to their home country and block family members from joining refugees already in the Netherlands.
The PVV is the largest party in the Dutch parliament, holding 37 seats out of a total of 150 mandates.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would tender his resignation to King Willem Alexander along with that of his 11-month-old cabinet following the decision.
“We have decided that there is now insufficient support for this government,” Schoof told reporters in The Hague after an emergency cabinet meeting.
Last month Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp criticized Israel in a letter sent to top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, urging the European body to review its association agreement with the Jewish State over its military operations in Gaza and Syria, and alleged “settler violence” in Judea and Samaria.
In his letter, Veldkamp said the distribution of humanitarian aid in the enclave “does not appear to be compatible with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and would not allow for the unconditional and unhindered distribution of aid to people in need.”
In response, Wilders criticized what he called the Dutch government’s “ridiculous anti-Israel measures” and demanding to know whether his party’s ministers were notified in advance of the move.
Schoof dismissed backlash from Wilders over the letter, saying he supported Veldkamp’s decision and that the Dutch government didn’t need Wilder’s approval to criticize Israel.
In April, the Netherlands tightened restrictions on exports of dual-use goods to Israel. Wilders slammed Veldkamp over that move as well, writing in a post on the X social media platform, “Weak minister sides with anti-Israel protesters.”
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