In a stunning political development that has sent shockwaves through Europe, the Dutch government collapses following the abrupt withdrawal of far-right leader Geert Wilders from the ruling coalition. The move has not only toppled the recently-formed administration but also thrown the Netherlands into fresh political uncertainty, with new elections now looming.
Far-right politician Geert Wilders speaks to reporters after withdrawing his party from the four-party Dutch coalition in The Hague, Netherlands, on 3 June 2025. [Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong]
Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who had only served 11 months in office, resigned hours after Wilders’ exit. He submitted the resignation of his cabinet to King Willem-Alexander, marking a swift end to what was already considered a fragile coalition.
“We have decided that there is now insufficient support for this government,” Mr Schoof told reporters in The Hague, calling Wilders’ actions “irresponsible and unnecessary.”
Prime Minister Dick Schoof [Credit: Reuters Photo]
Far-Right Leader Pulls the Pin
Geert Wilders, leader of the populist Freedom Party (PVV), stunned his coalition partners and the public by declaring that all PVV ministers would step down. His statement came shortly after an emergency meeting with leaders of the four-party alliance, which had been struggling to maintain cohesion since taking power in July last year.
“No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition,” Wilders posted on X, referring to his hard-line demands on immigration.
Below is the X post (in Dutch):
Geen handtekening voor onze asielplannen.
Geen aanpassing Hoofdlijnenakkoord.
PVV verlaat de coalitie.
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) June 3, 2025
These demands included a total ban on asylum seekers, the use of the military to secure borders, forced repatriation of Syrian refugees, and the closure of refugee shelters. Several of his proposals are believed to contravene European human rights laws.
“I signed up for the toughest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands,” Wilders later told reporters.
The far-right leader’s sudden exit has not only brought down the government but also delayed a key decision on increased defence spending — a priority ahead of an upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.
Reactions from Coalition Partners
Other parties in the now-defunct coalition — including the liberal-conservative VVD, the centrist NSC, and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) — responded with shock and anger.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the VVD and a former justice minister, criticised Wilders for placing personal ambition above national interest.
“There’s a war on our continent, and an economic crisis may be coming our way. People are struggling to pay their bills,” she said. “We had a right-wing majority that could have delivered real results, and he’s thrown it all away — for his own ego.”
She called the move “super-irresponsible,” a sentiment echoed by other leaders, including Nicolien van Vroonhoven of the NSC and Caroline van der Plas of the BBB, who accused Wilders of putting himself above the country.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the VVD [Remko de Waal/Getty Images]
A Short-Lived Coalition
The Dutch government formed in mid-2024 was never on stable ground. It took nearly six months of negotiations to bring together a coalition that included Wilders’ PVV — the largest party in parliament after its shock election win in November 2023 — and three other right-leaning groups.
Yet, Wilders himself never took a ministerial post or the prime ministership. Instead, the cabinet was headed by independent bureaucrat Dick Schoof, a former intelligence chief selected as a compromise candidate.
The coalition was riddled with internal disputes, particularly over immigration. Wilders’ controversial 10-point plan included suspending EU asylum quotas, banning family reunification for refugees, and expelling migrant criminals — policies his partners could not support.
Opposition Seeks Stability
As the Dutch government collapses, opposition parties are calling for early elections. Frans Timmermans, leader of the Labour/Green alliance, said snap polls were now the only logical path forward.
“It’s an opportunity for all democratic parties to rid ourselves of the extremes. With the extremes, you simply cannot govern,” he said.
Polls suggest that support for Wilders’ PVV has dropped since the last election. From a high of 23 per cent, the party is now polling closer to 20 per cent, roughly on par with the Labour/Green alliance.
Rob Jetten, leader of the centrist D66 party, said the government had been paralysed for months due to constant “rows and crises,” adding, “If it hadn’t happened today, it would have happened sometime soon.”
Rob Jetten, leader of the centrist D66 party [Credit: Laurens Van Putten ANP/HH]
A Pattern of Retreat
This is not the first time Geert Wilders has backed out of a governing arrangement. In 2010, he offered support to a minority government led by then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte but walked away less than two years later over a budget dispute.
Wilders’ current decision to exit is being seen by some as political theatre, aimed at boosting his chances of becoming prime minister after the next election. He has already declared his intention to contest again, saying:
“No, I’m not ending my political career. I’m going to become the Prime Minister of the Netherlands next time.”
But analysts are sceptical. Political scientist René Cuperus described the move as “suicidal politics,” questioning whether any party would trust Wilders in future coalition talks.
Also Read: One Click to $70 Million: Mystery Victorian Scores Entire Oz Lotto Jackpot
Embarrassment on the World Stage
The timing of the collapse is particularly poor for the Netherlands. In just a few weeks, The Hague is set to host the annual NATO summit, where leaders will discuss future defence strategies. With the Dutch government now reduced to a caretaker administration, the country will face the international spotlight with limited authority.
“This makes us look like fools,” Yeşilgöz remarked bluntly.
Many Dutch citizens also seem unsurprised by the collapse, pointing to a year of dysfunction and policy deadlock. One voter told local media, “It’s been a mess since the start — no surprise at all.”
What Happens Next?
A new election is expected as early as October, though an official date has not yet been confirmed. In the meantime, the country will be governed by a caretaker administration with limited powers.
Whether Geert Wilders can convert political chaos into another electoral win remains to be seen. His party may try to make immigration the central issue of the next campaign, but past behaviour — and widespread criticism — could make coalition-building even harder the second time around.
As the Dutch government collapses, one thing is clear: the Netherlands faces yet another chapter of political fragmentation, with serious consequences at home and abroad.
