The Dutch coalition government has collapsed after just over a year and a half in office, following a row over migration policies.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government was formed in October 2021, after a general election in which his center-right VVD party won the most seats. However, the coalition was always fragile, as it was made up of four different parties with different views on migration.
The final straw came on Friday, when the Christian Democrats (CDA) withdrew from the government in protest at a proposed law that would have made it easier to deport asylum seekers. The CDA argued that the law was too harsh and would violate human rights.
Rutte has said that he will now try to form a new government, but it is unclear whether he will be able to do so. If he is unsuccessful, the Netherlands could be headed for a new general election.
The collapse of the Dutch government is a major setback for Rutte, who has been in office since 2010. It is also a sign of the growing political divide in the Netherlands over migration.
What are the implications of the government collapse?
The collapse of the Dutch government has a number of implications, both domestically and internationally.
Domestically, the collapse could lead to political instability and uncertainty. It is unclear whether Rutte will be able to form a new government, and if he does, it is likely to be a minority government that will be more vulnerable to collapse. This could make it difficult for the government to pass legislation and implement its policies.
Internationally, the collapse of the Dutch government could damage the country's reputation as a reliable and stable partner. It could also make it more difficult for the Netherlands to cooperate with other countries on issues such as migration and security.
What are the next steps?
Rutte has said that he will now try to form a new government. However, it is unclear whether he will be able to do so. If he is unsuccessful, the Netherlands could be headed for a new general election.
A new general election would be a further setback for Rutte and could lead to a more divided and unstable political landscape in the Netherlands. It is also possible that the Netherlands could be governed by a minority government, which would make it difficult to pass legislation and implement policies.
The collapse of the Dutch government is a significant event that has implications for both the Netherlands and the wider world. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be, but it is clear that the Netherlands is facing a period of political uncertainty.