The 336-day reign of the Schoof I Cabinet has come to an end after an period of political instability, having ruled as a minority government, with support from the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB. Fighting and bickering resulted in the Cabinet's fall, and leader of the PVV Geert Wilders eventually decided to withdraw his party from the government.
6 months Ago
From the Awkward Forming to Daily Friction
The coalition was a difficult process from the start, taking eight months and multiple failed attempts. The PVV was the largest party in term of seats, but Wilders was unable to become prime minister because of political differences. Former intelligence chief Dick Schoof was eventually appointed after losing other contenders to scandal and withdrawal.
The coalition was troubled by instability during its brief existence. His weekly press conferences became forums to address internal rifts, as Wilders relegated the issue from the floor of the Tweede Kamer.
Multiple Crises and Political Confrontations
As early as August 2024, there was almost a collapse of the Cabinet in the hot budget negotiations for the VVD and the NSC to collide around purchasing power.
Emotional meltdowns and public demands for the government to be dissolved underscored the fragile nature of the alliance.
In addition, in November, NSC State Secretary Nora Achahbar and two lawmakers resigned following signs of division and alleged racist comments inside the Cabinet. While Schoof protested that he wasn't racist, the incident did irreparable harm to the internal bond of trust.
By December, Wilders was openly threatening to withdraw his support for the coalition over blocked asylum reforms. The demands escalated in early 2025, when exper.
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