Hague - In the wake of the collapse of Mark Rutte's four-party coalition due to a heated dispute over asylum seeker policy, Dutch voters are preparing to participate in a new parliamentary election. Rutte, leader of the centre-right VVD party, surprised the Netherlands by announcing his complete departure from politics after 13 years at the helm. With the leaders of all the other coalition partners also resigning following the government's implosion, the upcoming election is expected to have a significant impact on the eurozone's fifth-largest economy.
The Dutch cabinet stated, "Lower house elections will be held on Wednesday, November 22," following the recommendation of Interior Minister Bruins Slot. The chosen date takes into account the preparation time for political parties, feasibility for municipalities, and arrangements made by the Electoral Council.
Rutte's VVD party will strive for another shot at the premiership, potentially under the leadership of Dilan Yesilgoz, the Turkish-born justice minister who herself sought asylum in the Netherlands. Additionally, the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), a party formed in response to proposed livestock reduction for environmental purposes, aims to disrupt the existing political landscape after winning senate elections earlier this year.
The November elections will draw considerable attention in Europe, as Rutte, the EU's second longest-serving leader after Hungary's Viktor Orban, had ensured the Netherlands' significant influence. He played a prominent role in various issues, including eurozone bailouts, often diverging from southern Europe due to his frugal stance, as well as the conflict in Ukraine.
However, European capitals may have to wait for the future political landscape to take shape, as coalition negotiations in the complex Dutch political system typically span several months. Rutte's previous coalition, his fourth since assuming office in 2010, only materialized after a record-breaking 271 days of negotiations, and it ultimately dissolved after just a year and a half. If the coalition had remained intact, the next elections would not have been scheduled until early 2025.
The collapse of the Dutch coalition was triggered by disagreements over Rutte's proposal to limit the number of family members from war zones allowed to reunite with asylum-seekers in the Netherlands. Rutte, known as "Teflon Mark" for his ability to weather political scandals, announced on Monday that it was time to "pass the baton" and that he would retire from politics once a new government was formed.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra revealed his resignation as leader of the Christian-based CDA party, Rutte's coalition ally. Additionally, Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, leader of the centre-left D66 party, announced her departure on Thursday, citing the impact of "hate, intimidation, and threats" on her family. The smallest coalition partner, ChristenUnie, a Christian Democratic party with strong support from the devoutly Protestant "Bible Belt" in central Netherlands, and the center-left D66 party strongly opposed Rutte's asylum plan. Carola Schouten, parliamentary faction chief of ChristenUnie, also declared her resignation this week.