The resignation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the longest-serving premier of the nation, means the country will face a general election later this year. Rutte and his government will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new ruling coalition is chosen.
The “collapse” of the government in a parliamentary system means the government no longer commands the confidence of a majority of the (typically) lower house, in this case the House of Representatives. Nothing immediate happens, although the prime minister may (or may not) resign, a “caretaker” government takes over until a new elections are held.
Here, it sounds like one of the four coalition parties has pulled out due to disagreeemnt over immigration, which the coalition parties had never agreed on.
What does this mean practically? Do the Netherlands not have a government until they hold a new election?
No, but that’s pretty common for them, they spent 2021 without a government because of this same guy: https://www.dw.com/en/netherlands-dutch-parties-to-form-government-9-months-after-vote/a-60109396
He did it in 2017 too.
The “collapse” of the government in a parliamentary system means the government no longer commands the confidence of a majority of the (typically) lower house, in this case the House of Representatives. Nothing immediate happens, although the prime minister may (or may not) resign, a “caretaker” government takes over until a new elections are held.
Here, it sounds like one of the four coalition parties has pulled out due to disagreeemnt over immigration, which the coalition parties had never agreed on.