Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch right-wing Party for Freedom, has warned of potential early elections if parliament fails to pass a proposed immigration bill.
The Netherlands’ four-party ruling coalition has been negotiating the legislation for months, aiming to curb the number of asylum applications. However, on Monday, the Council of State, an advisory body to the government, issued a critical review of the bill, advising against its submission in its current form.
According to the advisory opinion—which is not legally binding—the proposed measures are unlikely to significantly reduce asylum numbers and could instead add further strain on immigration authorities and courts.
Wilders dismissed the Council of State’s concerns, calling them “indiscriminate bureaucrats,” and insisted that the bill should be brought before parliament “quickly and without changes.”
“Otherwise, voters may have their say,” he warned, signaling a possible push for fresh elections.
Following his party’s strong performance in the November 2023 elections, Wilders wields significant influence in the coalition. A withdrawal by the Party for Freedom could plunge the government into crisis, potentially leading to another national vote.
