Netherlands migration row as 'Dutch Nigel Farage' threatens to collapse government

The Dutch government is on the brink of collapse after , the firebrand populist who has frequently voiced his admiration for Nigel Farage, issued a dramatic ultimatum to his coalition partners over migration policy. Mr Wilders, leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), unveiled a hardline 10-point plan on Monday designed to slash immigration levels and overhaul the country's asylum system.

The proposals include deploying the military to guard land borders, halting all asylum applications, and returning with temporary protection status to their home country, which he claimed is now "safe" in parts. He also demanded an immediate freeze on family reunification for recognised refugees, and called for a "one strike and you're out" policy to deport any migrant convicted of violent or sexual crimes. Mr Wilders said: "The gloves are off. If migration policy is not toughened up, our party is out of the Cabinet."

The coalition-comprising the PVV, the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract party, and the populist Farmers Citizens Movement-was only finalised in recent weeks after months of negotiations.

However, even before taking formal office, the coalition is facing its first serious test, with Mr Wilders making clear he will not accept what he sees as dithering on one of his core campaign pledges.

He argued that the coalition's previous compromises, including partial border checks and limited restrictions on asylum family reunification, "are not enough to turn the tide."

Mr Wilders said: "We have waited long enough. Action is needed now."

He further claimed that several of his proposals mirror policies already adopted elsewhere in Europe, citing neighbouring Germany as an example.

Earlier this month, Germany's interior minister announced plans to increase police presence at its borders and begin turning back certain asylum-seekers.

However, some of Mr Wilders' proposals would require the Netherlands to pull out of European legal frameworks and international conventions - a move which would trigger fierce legal and political battles both in The Hague and Brussels.

To proceed, all four coalition parties must first agree to send the proposals to parliament, a process likely to prompt intense renegotiations of the coalition agreement that brought them together.

Without consensus, the government risks imploding before it can even be formally sworn in.