The Netherlands is dealing with a major political crisis after Prime Minister Dick Schoof resigned. This happened because the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) left the ruling coalition. The move, led by PVV leader Geert Wilders, has thrown the country into uncertainty.
It risks disrupting important NATO-related decisions and could destabilize the nation at a time when far-right populism is growing across Europe. The main reason for the collapse is deep disagreements over immigration policy, which shows a widening divide between the ruling parties and the increasingly powerful far-right, according to Reuters and aljazeera.
Wilders decided to pull the PVV out of the coalition government because the coalition refused to accept his party’s strict demands on immigration. He had repeatedly pushed for a major crackdown on asylum seekers, including rejecting all asylum requests and using the military to guard Dutch borders. Wilders told reporters, “I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands.”
Europe destabilizing due to far-right growth
What’s happening in the Netherlands is part of a larger trend. Far-right populism is rising across Europe, with parties that share Wilders’ anti-immigration views gaining ground in many countries. The issues with the government came soon after a nationalist conservative president was elected in Poland, highlighting the growing power of right-wing movements in Europe.
The situation is made even more complicated by the war in Ukraine and an unpredictable global climate, partly shaped by US President Donald Trump’s actions. With so much international uncertainty, European countries need to be united and decisive, making the Netherlands’ political instability a serious concern. Without a stable government, the Netherlands may weaken Europe’s ability to stand together against challenges from Russia and the United States.
When the coalition would not agree to these demands, Wilders announced the PVV’s withdrawal, causing an immediate government crisis. At the same time, other coalition accused Wilders of putting his political goals ahead of the country’s needs, especially during a time of global challenges. Wilders argued that he was staying true to his party’s promises. He said he would lead the PVV into a new election, hoping to win stronger to carry out his policies. He claimed that the coalition’s failure to address immigration issues meant the “downfall of the Netherlands,” showing how high the stakes are.
Prime Minister Schoof’s resignation, which came right after Wilders’ announcement, made the government’s collapse official. The remaining ministers will stay in place as a caretaker government, but the next step is likely snap elections, which probably won’t happen before October. Forming a new government after the election could take months, further delaying important decisions.
This uncertain period is especially worrying because a NATO summit is scheduled to take place in The Hague in just three weeks. The current crisis could disrupt planned defense spending decisions that need parliamentary approval, possibly delaying or changing agreements that are key to NATO’s security goals. The timing of this crisis is particularly bad given the current global tensions and the need for strong international cooperation.
Dutch politics is already divided, and the election probably won’t fix these divisions quickly. Experts say the election could become a vote on immigration policy, with the far-right possibly gaining more from voters unhappy with current policies. While for the PVV has dropped slightly from its high of 23% in the November 2023 elections to around 20%, it remains a major force, putting it at the same level as the opposition Labour/Green Left alliance. This shows how much influence the far-right has in Dutch politics.
Published: Jun 3, 2025 02:39 pm