Dutch Leader Geert Wilders’ Party Quits Coalition Over Immigration Clash

In a dramatic turn of events, the Netherlands' governing coalition has collapsed less than a year into its tenure, as populist leader Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV) walked away over a heated clash on immigration policy. Wilders, often dubbed the "Dutch Donald Trump," pulled the plug on Tuesday, citing the refusal of his coalition partners to back his hardline asylum proposals as the breaking point.

Wilders had pushed for a series of stringent measures, including a complete freeze on asylum applications, limits on family reunification, and even deploying the army to guard borders and turn away migrants. His frustration boiled over when the other three coalition parties balked at his demands, with some of his proposals—like stripping citizenship from dual nationals—drawing sharp criticism for undermining basic rights. "I signed up for the toughest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands," Wilders declared to reporters, signaling his unyielding stance.

The immediate fallout remains uncertain. Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who has yet to publicly respond to the resignations of PVV ministers, called an emergency Cabinet meeting to address the crisis. The government might limp on as a minority administration or face snap elections later this year. Wilders, who stunned the country by winning 23% of the vote in the November 2023 election, has seen his support dip to around 20% in recent polls, roughly matching the combined strength of the Labour/Green bloc.

This rupture reflects a broader wave of discontent sweeping Europe, where right-wing parties are gaining ground amid growing frustration over immigration and economic woes. Wilders’ exit has drawn sharp rebukes from coalition allies, with Dilan Yesilgöz of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy calling the move "super-irresponsible." For now, the Netherlands braces for political turbulence as the ripple effects of this collapse unfold.