MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: The leader of the Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, speaks during the 'Patriots' summit, at the Marriott Auditorium Hotel, on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Vox has organized in Madrid a summit of 'Patriots', a formation that integrates the political parties of the homonymous group of the European Parliament. The meeting will be held on February 7 and 8 and will be attended by some of the leaders of the European far right. (Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Dutch government collapses Far-right Leader Geert Wilders Withdrew his Party for Freedom (PVV) from coalition
The Netherlands plunges into political chaos. The dramatic move follows a fierce clash over migration policy, ending Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s tenure after less than a year in office.
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 08: The leader of the Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, speaks during the ‘Patriots’ summit, at the Marriott Auditorium Hotel, on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Vox has organized in Madrid a summit of ‘Patriots’, a formation that integrates the political parties of the homonymous group of the European Parliament. The meeting will be held on February 7 and 8 and will be attended by some of the leaders of the European far right. (Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Wilders confirmed the decision early Tuesday morning in a blunt post on X: “No signature for our asylum plans. No changes to the Main Outline Agreement. PVV leaves the coalition.” His ultimatum to coalition partners—a demand to adopt a hardline 10-point anti-migration policy—proved too divisive for the fragile four-party alliance.
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 08: The leader of the Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, speaks during the ‘Patriots’ summit, at the Marriott Auditorium Hotel, on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Vox has organized in Madrid a summit of ‘Patriots’, a formation that integrates the political parties of the homonymous group of the European Parliament. The meeting will be held on February 7 and 8 and will be attended by some of the leaders of the European far right. (Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Wilders’ proposals included closing the borders with military patrols, rejecting all asylum applications at the border, halting family reunifications for refugees, and deporting Syrians with temporary status, claiming Syria is now safe. He also advocated automatic deportation for migrants convicted of violent or sexual crimes. These extreme measures quickly fractured an already uneasy alliance.
The coalition, which came together in July 2024 after lengthy negotiations, brought together the VVD, PVV, the New Social Contract (NSC), and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). But the migration dispute ignited simmering tensions. On Tuesday, Wilders informed Prime Minister Schoof that all PVV ministers would resign, effectively stripping the government of its majority.
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 08: The leader of the Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, speaks during the ‘Patriots’ summit, at the Marriott Auditorium Hotel, on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Vox has organized in Madrid a summit of ‘Patriots’, a formation that integrates the political parties of the homonymous group of the European Parliament. The meeting will be held on February 7 and 8 and will be attended by some of the leaders of the European far right. (Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The fallout is immediate and far-reaching. Without the PVV’s support, Schoof’s coalition no longer holds power in the
