The prime minister, Rutte, resigned due to "unbridgeable" disagreements over how many foreigners to give asylum to.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has presented his government's written resignation to King Willem-Alexander, who returned from holiday to receive it.
It was Rutte's fourth government -- a fragile, four-party coalition of his People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the liberal democratic Democrats 66, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and centrist ChristenUnie. It took 10 months to agree its formation and it lasted less than 18 months.
The coalition of radically different outlooks was brought down over the issue of immigration. Amid concerns about a housing crisis, high gas prices and inflation, some sought to blame foreign migrants -- international students, wealthier "expats" and particularly asylum seekers.
Although the level of asylum seekers this year is expected to be 45,000, roughly the same as 2022, Rutte and the CDA reportedly argued for a harder stance in a new bill, restricting the rights of family members to join refugees from countries temporarily at war. Democrats 66 and particularly the ChristenUnie disagreed, and cabinet talks broke down on Friday.
"It's no secret that the coalition parties think very differently about asylum policy and today we unfortunately need to draw the conclusion that the differences are unbridgeable," said Rutte in a press conference on Friday night. "The fall of a government is never good. But it is sometimes impossible in a coalition country like the Netherlands to come to one agreement."
Don't imagine this guy is some kind of a conservative. He's pushed the insane policy of destroying Dutch farms and mass-slaughtering thousands of cattle to reduce nitrogen release and save the world from "global warming."
Rutte named a few issues in his resignation press conference, including housing asylum seekers, after recent cuts in the system and general housing shortages led to desperate situations at Ter Apel registration centre last year. Others were cutting nitrogen-related pollution, supporting victims of earthquakes in Groningen and a government childcare benefits scandal after thousands were incorrectly accused of fraud.
Is there hope?
Maybe.
The Farmer-Citizen party recently began winning elections, and might be poised to become the country's biggest party.
The Dutch farmer's party is ready to fight a general election, its leader said after the Netherlands' government fell amid divisions over migration.
The campaign comes after The Farmers-Citizen Movement's (BBB) landslide victory in March's regional elections, which were dominated by tractor protests against green legislation.
"The banners and flags are still in the shed," Caroline van der Plas said after Prime Minister Mark Rutte's ruling coalition collapsed on Friday night.
Asked if she harboured ambitions of becoming Prime Minister, the farmer's daughter and former journalist said: "If it comes, it comes."
...
Recent polls show the BBB is set to become the equal largest Dutch party after an election, which is now expected in November.
In March, it came from nowhere to become the largest party in all 12 Dutch provinces in a vote that became a referendum on Mr Rutte's 13 years in office.
Mr Rutte's conservative VVD, currently the largest party, is predicted to be the other dominant political force.
Ms van der Plas, who is currently the BBB's sole MP and only founded the party in 2019, is open to going into coalition with the VVD.
But she has ruled out such a pact if Mr Rutte, the Netherlands longest serving prime minister, is leading it.
The BBB blames Mr Rutte for pushing for compulsory farm buyouts to reduce nitrogen emissions, which are caused by manure and fertiliser, and meet EU climate targets.
Kinda #based.
Meanwhile, an ugly transgender won the Miss Netherlands "beauty" pageant and will represent the country, stunningly and bravely, at the Miss Universe competition.
Vince Langman
@LangmanVince
If you think the dude on the left should be Miss Universe Netherlands instead of the woman on the right. Take off the face diaper, put down the Ukraine flag, turn off CNN, and seek help you're in a Cult
At some point, someone in conservative media will actually have to stop being a cvck and ask Trump if he stands by his previous support of transgenders competing in women's competitions: