Netherlands: PM Schoof to resign after Wilders quits coalition, to stay on in caretaker role

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would resign from the ruling coalition but continue leading a caretaker government, making a snap election likely.

The move follows far-right leader Geert Wilders pulling his Freedom Party from the coalition after his demands to tighten migration policies such as closing the border to asylum seekers, suspending family reunification, and returning asylum seekers to Syria were rejected by the other three coalition partners.

Schoof said Tuesday the decision of far-right MP Geert Wilders to withdraw his party from the cabinet was “unnecessary and irresponsible”.

“In recent days, I have repeatedly informed all four party leaders that, in my opinion, the fall of the cabinet was unnecessary and irresponsible,” Schoof told reporters.

He said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet can be formed, likely after elections.

Wilders, often dubbed the “Dutch Donald Trump,” said his party was exiting the coalition after failing to win support for stricter asylum and immigration measures. His decision throws the NATO ally into political uncertainty and could delay key defense spending decisions amid growing tensions with Russia.

No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition," Wilders said in a post on X.

Schoof, a career civil servant who was handpicked by Wilders a year ago to lead the government, said he had repeatedly to coalition leaders in recent days that bringing down the government would be “unnecessary and irresponsible.”

“We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world,” Schoof said.

Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration.

Disbelief

Wilders’ coalition partners responded with disbelief and anger to his decision.

“There is a war on our continent. Instead of meeting the challenge, Wilders is showing he is not willing to take responsibility,” said the leader of the conservative VVD party, Dilan Yesilgoz.

“It is irresponsible to take down the government at this point,” centrist NSC party leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said.

The others parties now have the option to try and proceed as a minority government, though they are not expected to.

Opposition parties on Tuesday called for new elections.

“I see no other way to form a stable government,” said Frans Timmermans, the leader of the Labour/Green combination.

VVD’s Yesilgoz said she did not want to exclude any options. Junior coalition party BBB leader Caroline van der Plas said: “This coalition is done. But maybe other parties see a way forward.”

With inputs from agencies