Right-wing populist Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government in a row over immigration on Tuesday, June 3rd, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in snap elections.
Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the “strictest-ever immigration policy,” agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023.
“No signature for our asylum plans … PVV leaves the coalition,” said Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) on X.
Wilders had vowed to withdraw PVV from the four-way coalition if the other parties did not sign up to a 10-point plan for tougher policies against immigrants and asylum-seekers.
His plan included border closures for asylum-seekers, tougher border controls, and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime.
Summarising his demands, he said: “Close the borders for asylum seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centres opened. Close them.”
