The Netherlands’ center-right coalition government is resigning due to “insurmountable” differences about measures to curb the number of migrants and refugees admitted to the country.
Yesterday, the prime minister, Mark Rutte, resigned. Rutte has been in office longer than any other Dutch prime minister. His resignation means a general election will be held later this year.
“It is no secret that the coalition partners have very different views on migration policy,” said Prime Minister Rutte. “And today, unfortunately, we have to draw the conclusion that those differences are irreconcilable. That is why I will immediately … offer the resignation of the entire Cabinet to the king in writing.”
Rutte had presided over late-night meetings on July 5 and 6 that failed to result in a cabinet consensus on how to deal with the growing number of people seeking asylum in the country.
During one final round of talks yesterday, the parties decided unanimously that they could not agree and, as a result, could not remain together in the coalition.
Rutte’s party sought to limit the number of relatives of war refugees allowed into the Netherlands be capped at 200 per month, and Rutte raises the possibility that the coalition government would end if such a measure did not pass.
The fall of the coalition government highlights the ideological divisions that existed in it since it came to power 18 months ago, in a marriage of strange bedfellows between parties that do not support a strict crackdown on migration – Democrats 66 (D66) and fellow centrist party ChristenUnie, or Christian Union – and the two parties that back tougher measures – Rutte’s conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy and the Christian Democrats.
Rutte’s coalition had attempted for months to work out a deal to reduce the flow of asylum seekers arriving in Holland. One major proposal would have created a two-tiered asylum system – a temporary one for people fleeing conflicts and a permanent one for people trying to escape persecution – and would have limited the number of family members who are allowed to join asylum-seekers in Holland.
In 2022, hundreds of asylum-seekers were forced to sleep outdoors near an overcrowded reception center as the number of people arriving in the Netherlands outstripped the available beds. More than 22,000 people from Asia and Africa sought asylum in the Netherlands in 2022.
Tens of thousands more entered the Netherlands to work and study. The numerous arrivals have put a strain on housing in the Netherlands that already was in short supply in the densely populated country of 18 million people.
Opposition politicians demanded new elections even before Rutte tendered his resignation yesterday. Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Party for Freedom, said, “Quick elections now.”Green Left leader Jesse Klaver also called for elections, saying, “This country needs a change of direction.”
The Netherlands plans to hold elections in November. This coalition government was the fourth one led by Mark Rutte since 2010.
