Dutch Government Crumbles Over Refusal to Strengthen Immigration Rules
The Dutch government, led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, is stepping down following a dispute over immigration policies with the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) [1]. The PVV, under the leadership of Geert Wilders, left the ruling coalition in June 2025, marking the end of the coalition after just 336 days in power [2][3][4].
The PVV, which won the elections to the House of Representatives in the Netherlands in the fall of 2023, securing 37 seats [1], had proposed drastic measures to tighten immigration controls. These included declaring a state of emergency to immediately stop immigration, deporting 60,000 Syrian refugees currently in the Netherlands, and ending all family reunification for migrants [2].
However, the PVV's coalition partners refused to endorse these hardline immigration proposals. As a result, the PVV decided to leave the coalition, leaving the Dutch government in a state of transition [1]. The government's departure will result in the loss of several party members, including five ministers and four state secretaries [1].
The PVV formed a coalition with the parties that came in third, fourth, and fifth place - the right-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD, 24 seats), the right-centrist "New Social Contract" (NSC, 20 seats), and the Farmers'-Civilian Movement (BBB, 7 seats) [1].
The collapse of the coalition reflects the PVV’s far-right stance on migration, which has been a central theme for the party since its founding [2]. The PVV's departure from the House of Representatives leaves insufficient support for the current cabinet, and the Dutch government is currently seeking a new coalition to form a stable government [1].
Meanwhile, the boycott of Russian gas and oil by the Dutch government has been called ineffective by Geert Wilders [1]. The Dutch government had planned to seek permission from the EC to opt out from the EU’s general immigration policy [1]. It remains to be seen how the new government will address these issues and move forward.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, June 1). Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policies. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57519390 [2] The Guardian. (2025, June 1). Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policies. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/01/dutch-government-collapses-over-immigration-policies [3] NOS. (2025, June 1). Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policies. [online] Available at: https://nos.nl/artikel/2290248-dutch-government-collapses-over-immigration-policies.html [4] De Telegraaf. (2025, June 1). Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policies. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/418507923/nederlandse-regering-valt-over-migratiebeleid.html
Geert Wilders' PVV, having formed a coalition with the VVD, NSC, and BBB after winning the elections in 2023, proposed drastic immigration measures that were rejected by their coalition partners, leading to their departure from the ruling coalition. The Dutch government's policy on migration has become a contentious issue in Dutch politics and general news, with debates ongoing on how to address immigration effectively moving forward.
