The Hague, 4 June 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Dick Schoof, while asking him to remain in office in a caretaker capacity.

"After all, life goes on in the Netherlands and abroad, and decisions have to be taken that cannot be postponed," Schoof told parliament in The Hague.

The collapse of the unwieldy four-party coalition came after right-wing populist Geert Wilders withdrew his members from the Cabinet in a conflict over migration.

Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) formed the largest group in parliament after the party emerged victorious in the November 2023 elections.

But PVV ministers and state secretaries have now withdrawn from Schoof's cabinet.

Wilders' move came in for strong criticism in parliament from the coalition parties and from the opposition.

"In my view, the fall of this government was unnecessary and irresponsible," Schoof, an independent, said. "We face large challenges nationally and internationally, and more than ever, decisiveness is required," he added.

He said he would continue to conduct government business with the remaining three parties until fresh elections, which are expected in October or November. A date is likely to be set on Thursday.

For his part, Wilders accused his former coalition partners of blocking his migration policies.

"We want a complete halt to asylum, We want intensive border controls. We want every – truly every – asylum seeker to be turned back at the border," he said.

"And that has to happen immediately," Wilders added.

He said his party no longer wished to bear responsibility for what he described as "the demise of the Netherlands."

Photo: EPA