Far‑right Freedom Party withdraws, shaking Dutch coalition
The far-right Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders has exited the ruling coalition in the Netherlands, according to the NOS portal on Tuesday. Wilders, the party leader, had previously stated that he would leave the government if it did not tighten its immigration policies.
Wilders, whose party won the elections in 2023 and holds the most seats in parliament, threatened on May 26 to bring down the government "at the latest in a few weeks" if his demands for a significant reduction in the influx of immigrants were unmet.
Far-right group leaves the coalition
- Our patience is running out. Voters who gave victory to PVV have the right to a government that keeps its promises - said Wilders. He also demanded increased border controls and the deportation of people with dual citizenship who have been convicted of crimes.
Let's not open more asylum centres. Let's close them - he added.
Wilders wrote on the social media platform X that his Freedom Party (PVV) will exit the coalition due to a lack of support for its asylum proposals.
The PVV has 37 deputies in the 150-seat parliament of the Netherlands. According to the latest polls, support for Wilders' group has decreased; however, it remains one of the three most popular parliamentary forces, along with the Green and Labour Party alliance (GroenLinks/PvdA) and the liberals from VVD.
