Dutch government collapses over immigration policy

Outgoing PM Mark Rutte speaks at a press conference after the collapse of the govt

July 8, 2023

The Dutch government collapsed on Friday after failing to reach a deal on how to mitigate its overwhelming stream of asylum-seekers.

The crisis was triggered by a push by Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD party to limit the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands, which two of his four-party government coalition refused to support.

“It’s no secret that the coalition partners have differing opinions about immigration policy. Today we, unfortunately, have to conclude that those differences have become insurmountable. Therefore I will tender the resignation of the entire cabinet to the king,” Rutte, the longest-service premier of the nation, said.

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