Geert Wilders, the firebrand leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), has once again sent shockwaves through Dutch politics by bringing down his own coalition government—just 17 months after a landmark electoral victory.
The collapse, triggered by a bitter dispute over a controversial immigration policy, underscores Wilders' long-standing challenge: the struggle between wielding power and sticking to his uncompromising populist agenda.
A Short-Lived Coalition
Wilders’ PVV made history in November 2023 by finishing first in national elections, leading to the formation of one of the most right-wing coalitions in Dutch history. Yet, the alliance was always fragile, with Wilders forced to relinquish his own ambition to become prime minister in order to bring three ideologically diverse parties on board: the conservative-liberal VVD, the agrarian-right BBB (Farmer-Citizen Movement), and the centrist New Social Contract (NSC).
Instead, the coalition agreed to a compromise: each party would remain in parliament, while technocrats and unaffiliated MPs filled cabinet roles. Wilders nominated former intelligence chief Dick Schoof—politically inexperienced and unaffiliated—as prime minister. But tensions simmered beneath the surface, especially around immigration.
The Breaking Point: Immigration Policy
The final straw came this week when Wilders demanded full support for a sweeping 10-point immigration reform plan. Among the proposals: deploying the army to patrol borders, closing refugee centers, banning family reunification for asylum seekers, and deporting all Syrian refugees—on the grounds that Syria is now “safe.”
Coalition partners pushed back, arguing that many elements of the plan were legally questionable or unfeasible. When it became clear that consensus would not be reached, Wilders pulled the plug.
"I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands," Wilders told reporters, positioning himself once again as a nationalist crusader rather than a team player.
Backlash from Former Allies
The fallout was immediate and fierce. Coalition partners, even those ideologically aligned with Wilders on migration, denounced his move as self-serving and destabilizing.
“I think Geert Wilders is betraying the Netherlands,” said Mona Keijzer, BBB's housing minister. “He ultimately put himself first, instead of the country.”
Sophie Hermans of the VVD expressed similar frustration: “I’m angry, disappointed—how can you do this now, when the world and our country face so many challenges?”
The internal dysfunction of the cabinet was evident even before the collapse. Prime Minister Schoof reportedly struggled to assert authority, often excluded from key decisions, while party leaders held pre-meetings behind closed doors.
In one telling episode, a team-building card game intended to boost cabinet morale fell apart when NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt stormed out over a budget disagreement—shortly before announcing his exit from politics altogether.
Wilders’ Gamble: High Risk, Uncertain Reward
Political analysts view Wilders’ latest move as a calculated gamble: by staging a dramatic exit, he seeks to reassert his role as the uncompromising voice of the far right and turn immigration into the defining issue of the next election.
But in the Netherlands’ deeply fragmented parliamentary landscape—where over a dozen parties hold seats—governing requires compromise. And Wilders, critics say, has now alienated even those who previously gave him a chance.
“It’s unlikely anyone will govern with Wilders again,” said Sarah de Lange, professor of political pluralism at the University of Amsterdam.
A Shifting Political Tide?
The broader political implications remain unclear. While Wilders’ PVV dominated headlines following its 2023 win, recent polls suggest his support is slipping, with Dutch voters possibly swinging back toward the political center.
The Netherlands has struggled for years with migration and housing pressures. Wilders’ hardline stance may still resonate with some voters—but his latest move may also reinforce perceptions of him as a political disruptor, not a reliable leader.
As the Netherlands braces for a new election, one question looms large: will Wilders’ gamble pay off, or will it mark the end of his last serious shot at power?