Dutch government in turmoil as Wilders' party exits coalition
The far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders has withdrawn from the ruling coalition in the Netherlands, as reported by the NOS portal on Tuesday. Wilders had previously declared that he would leave the government if it did not adopt stricter immigration policies.
Wilders, whose party secured the most seats in the 2023 elections, had threatened on 26th May to bring down the government "within a few weeks" if his demands for significantly reducing the influx of immigrants were not met.
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 called for increased border controls and the deportation of individuals with dual citizenship who have been convicted of crimes.
Let's not open more asylum centres. Let's close them - he added.
Wilders announced on the social media platform X that his Freedom Party (PVV) would exit the coalition due to insufficient support for its asylum proposals.
The PVV holds 37 seats in the 150-seat Dutch parliament. Despite a decline in recent polls, the party remains one of the three most popular parliamentary forces, alongside the Green and Labour Party alliance (GroenLinks/PvdA) and the liberals from VVD.
