An Eight Minute Exit: How PVV’s Geert Wilders Brought Down the Dutch Cabinet, and What It Means

On Tuesday 3 June, the Dutch government collapsed, triggering new elections and throwing the country into yet another phase of political uncertainty. For the third time in five years, the Netherlands is headed back to the polls. The fall of the Schoof cabinet, a fragile alliance between PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB, signals the end of a political experiment that was always uneasy and often dysfunctional. For international clients, this moment carries both risks and opportunities.

What happened?

The immediate cause was a dispute over asylum policy. Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right PVV, walked away from the coalition after demanding support for a sweeping package of hardline asylum measures. When his proposals met resistance (or what Wilders perceived as resistance), he abruptly withdrew from the coalition, informing his partners in a short, tenseeight-minute meeting. His decision stunned not only the leaders of VVD, NSC and BBB, but also his own ministers, who reportedly learned about the cabinet’s fall through the media.

One colourful moment reportedly occurred during that meeting. As the meeting was about the get underway, a staffer entered to ask whether the group wanted coffee. Wilders waved her away, saying curtly, “No, no, I think that can wait”, knowing things were about to get very uncomfortable. Wilders refused to negotiate during the meeting, insisting instead on his coalition partners’ signatures under an impromptu, legally void ten-point asylum plan, which they refused. One coalition leader remarked later on: “Geert was just looking for the exit.”

A fragile coalition from the start

From the beginning, the Schoof cabinet was built on shaky foundations. It brought together parties with starkly different views on the role of the state, Europe, and migration. Wilders, who had long thrived in opposition, often struggled to play the role of governing partner. Public outbursts, social media provocations and internal rifts over key dossiers were frequent.

The government achieved little during its eleven months in power. Most flagship proposals ran into legal, logistical or political obstacles. Asylum legislation stalled, housing reforms were blocked, and economic policy was marked more by improvisation than coherent strategy. Even within the business community, there was little love lost for the right-wing coalition. One economist called the cabinet “economic amateurs” who worsened inflation and failed to deliver on key reforms.

The coalition never seemed to be able to be taken seriously, or take itself seriously. Some ministers reportedly left their offices barely decorated, anticipating a short tenure. One joked that hanging pictures would only mean “more to carry out later.” This proved to be an apt prediction.

What happens next?

The cabinet is now ‘demissionary’, meaning it will not pursue new policy. Ministers from VVD, NSC and BBB will continue to manage day-to-day affairs, but no major new policies are likely to be introduced. Some legislation already in progress may proceed if it commands enough parliamentary support, but most will be put on hold until a new government is in place.

Fresh elections are expected in late October. Due to summer holidays and legal timeframes, an earlier date is not possible. In the meantime, PVV ministers have stepped down, and their portfolios will be redistributed or temporarily filled, adding to the government’s already limited capacity.

Implications for international clients

For international investors, this development is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, some of the more controversial proposals from the PVV, such as restrictive asylum measures and reduced EU contributions, are now off the table. This lowers the risk of policy shocks or legal conflicts with European norms.

On the other hand, the collapse creates a new period of unpredictability. Coalition talks after the previous election took nearly a year, and a repeat scenario is not out of the question. During that time, the government will be unable to make significant decisions on areas like taxation, climate policy, infrastructure, and foreign investment.

Dutch business leaders have already expressed concern. Employers’ organisations have warned of a “lost year” if political paralysis continues. Some sectors, particularly those relying on government support for innovation or sustainability, may experience delays in funding and regulatory clarity. Some more opportunistic business leaders feel that the remaining demissionarycabinet may yet prove successful, driven by an urge to deliver results that were previously impossible with the PVV, and by a desire to prevent further loss of support in the polls.

Looking ahead

There is growing scepticism among mainstream parties about future collaboration with Wilders. Several leaders have already hinted they will not work with the PVV again. Meanwhile, left-wing parties led by Frans Timmermans are gaining in the polls and preparing for a renewed coalition push. However, no party is currently expected to win a majority, making complex negotiations inevitable.

The next cabinet, regardless of its composition, will face a daunting to-do list. It must restore trust in governance, address labour shortages, meet climate targets, and stabilise public finances, all while managing external pressures from global trade and European defence commitments.

For international clients, the message is clear. The Netherlands remains a stable and well-connected economy, but political fragmentation is now a structural feature. Navigating the Dutch market in the coming year will require patience, flexibility, and close monitoring of political developments.