In a significant political shift, Geert Wilders, the far-right leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), announced his withdrawal from the Dutch governing coalition on Tuesday. This decision stems from unresolved disputes concerning aggressive measures to tackle immigration, prompting a potential crisis within the government formed just under a year ago.
Taking to social media platform X, Wilders declared that his party would exit the four-party coalition due to partners' unwillingness to endorse a new set of proposals he described as essential to swiftly curb migration. "No signature for our migration plans," he stated, signaling his party's deepening frustration with coalition negotiations.
The Party for Freedom, which shocked the political landscape by securing the most seats during the November 2023 elections, has been vocal in its radical stance, including a proposed ban on the Quran and a complete halt to accepting asylum seekers. Wilders formed the current coalition after extensive negotiations with three other right-wing factions: the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmer Citizen Movement (BBB), and the newly established New Social Contract (NSC). Together, these four parties control 88 out of 150 seats in the House of Representatives.
With Wilders' decision hanging over the coalition, many analysts predict an imminent collapse of the government and the possibility of snap elections, deepening an already volatile political environment in the Netherlands.
