Dutch voters will head to the polls to elect a new House of Representatives on 29 October, announced the outgoing Minister of the Interior Judith Uitermark on Friday following a cabinet meeting. The Dutch Electoral Council had also proposed this date.
The news comes days after the leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), Geert Wilders, announced the party would quit the Dutch coalition on Tuesday morning.
Wilders had urged for stricter asylum measures that he felt lacked sufficient support from his coalition partners.
The Dutch coalition was formed in May last year following the Dutch elections in late 2023. The coalition included Wilder's PVV, the centre-right parties People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and New Social Contract (NSC), and the right-wing Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB). The PVV was the largest party within the coalition.
The three other coalition parties expressed indignation over Wilders’ decision on Tuesday. "Wilders is choosing his own ego and his own interests. I am stunned. He is throwing away the chance for right-wing policies. This is extremely irresponsible," said VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz.
On the same day, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stepped down after the coalition collapse became inevitable.
Schoof will continue to work with the remaining ministers from VVD, NSC and BBB until new elections are held. They will act as a "caretaker" government until the Dutch voters head to the polls.
