The 2023 Dutch snap election produced a major upset, with Geert Wilders' PVV becoming the largest party and shifting the Netherlands toward its most right-wing government in recent history.
Key Facts
- Election date
- 22 November 2023
- PVV seats won
- 37 out of 150 seats
- Snap election trigger
- Collapse of fourth Rutte cabinet on 7 July 2023
- Coalition agreement date
- 16 May 2024
- New Prime Minister
- Dick Schoof, appointed 2 July 2024
- Coalition parties
- PVV, VVD, NSC, BBB
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The fourth Rutte cabinet collapsed on 7 July 2023 over irreconcilable disagreements on immigration policy among coalition partners. This triggered a snap election two years ahead of schedule, and incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced his withdrawal from politics rather than lead his party into the contest.
On 22 November 2023, Dutch voters elected members to the 150-seat House of Representatives. The right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, secured 37 seats, making it the largest party for the first time. All four parties of the outgoing coalition government lost seats in what observers called one of the biggest political upsets in Dutch politics since World War II.
A coalition of PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB reached a government agreement on 16 May 2024, prioritising the strictest asylum policy in Dutch history alongside welfare and health reforms. Intelligence director Dick Schoof was nominated as Prime Minister and formally appointed by the King on 2 July 2024, leading what several observers described as the most right-wing Dutch government in recent history.
Political Outcome
PVV won 37 seats, becoming the largest party; a four-party right-wing coalition (PVV, VVD, NSC, BBB) formed government with Dick Schoof as Prime Minister from 2 July 2024.
Centre-right coalition under Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD-led fourth cabinet)
Right-wing coalition under Prime Minister Dick Schoof (PVV, VVD, NSC, BBB)