The Dutch government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte collapsed on Friday after coalition parties failed to achieve an agreement on immigration policy. The parties were unable to reach an agreement on how to deal with the issue, which has become increasingly polarizing in the Netherlands in recent years.
What led to the Dutch government’s collapse?
The Dutch government coalition, which was created 18 months ago, was thrown into disarray when Prime Minister Rutte recently proposed limiting the right to family reunions for migrants fleeing war zones to 200 persons per month after two years. The idea was rejected by two coalition parties, D66, and the Christian Union, resulting in a significant escalation of the parties’ divisions.
PM Rutte’s own People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, or VVD, has been under internal pressure to limit the number of asylum seekers arriving in the Netherlands. The party’s most conservative members believe that the country is being overloaded by the amount of refugees, and that action must be taken to reduce the influx.
The D66 party and the smaller Christian Union, known as the coalition’s more progressive parties, have warned Prime Minister Rutte that they will not accept any measures that make it more difficult for refugees to enter the Netherlands.
According to the Dutch election authority, the earliest new elections can be held is in mid-November.
PM Rutte has stated that he will lead a caretaker government until new elections are held in mid-November. The administration would prioritize issues such as assisting Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February.
“It is no secret that the coalition partners have very different views on migration policy. This evening, we have unfortunately reached the conclusion that the differences are insurmountable. For this reason, I will shortly present my written resignation to the king in the name of the whole government,” PM Rutte said as quoted by news agency AFP.