Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Tuesday said the Netherlands would hold a new election after the collapse of his coalition government.The announcement followed far-right leader Geert Wilders’ withdrawal of his party’s ministers in a dispute over migration policy.What did the Dutch PM say?Schoof said his administration would serve in a caretaker role and that he would formally offer the resignations of Wilders’ Party for Freedom ministers to the Dutch king.The prime minister said he had repeatedly told coalition leaders that collapsing the government would be “unnecessary and irresponsible.”“We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world,” Schoof said.No date for a new election has been set, but it is unlikely to be for several months.Why did Wilders pull out?Wilderspulled his far-right PVV (Party for Freedom) out of government, citing differences with his partners because of a lack of action over proposals to curb immigration.“No signature for our asylum plans. No adjustment of the coalition agreement. The PVV is leaving the coalition,” said Wilders on X, formerly Twitter.He said he had informed Schoof that all ministers from his party would quit the government.“I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands,” said Wilders.The PVV entered its first coalition government six months after a surprise victory in the Netherlands’ November 2023 parliamentary elections; striking a deal with the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB).No date for a new election was initially set, but it is likely to be in several months.
