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The Dutch government has fallen into disarray following a major rift over immigration policies, leading the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) to withdraw from the ruling coalition. The move came after PVV leader Geert Wilders expressed discontent with the coalition's lack of support for his stringent asylum proposals.

The PVV had secured a sweeping victory in the Netherlands' 2023 general election, unseating former Prime Minister Mark Rutte's party. Despite this victory, Dick Schoof, the former head of the Netherlands' intelligence service, was chosen by the four major parties as the new prime minister. The coalition, however, has struggled to maintain unity, particularly around the contentious issue of immigration.

Geert Wilders took to social media to explain the PVV's departure, stating, “We had no choice. I promised the voter the strictest asylum policy ever, but that was not granted to you." He warned the coalition over the weekend that if most of the PVV's proposals from their ten-point asylum plan were not adopted, the party would exit the coalition. The plan included measures such as halting asylum and temporarily stopping the reunification of families for all granted refugee status.

The leaders of the other coalition parties have accused Wilders of putting personal interests above the nation's needs. Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, leader of Rutte's former party, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, criticized Wilders for "choosing his own ego and interests." Similarly, Caroline van der Plas of the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) condemned Wilders for recklessly destabilizing the government, which she believes will lead to a standstill of at least a year and a half.

The fall of the government has prompted calls for new elections. Jimmy Dijk, leader of the Socialist Party SP (SP) faction, emphasized on social media that now is the time for elections and political change. With left-leaning parties potentially poised to take over, more lenient asylum policies could be on the horizon, a stark contrast to Wilders' hardline stance.

Amidst the political turmoil, the Dutch economy has been steadily growing despite a 4.1% inflation rate in April, which is above the euro area target. The Dutch central bank projects a growth rate of 1.5% for this year and for 2026, although it warns that rising geopolitical tensions could hinder further progress.