Netherlands: Souf Government Survives Vote of No Confidence

A vote of no confidence against the government of Dick Schoof in the Netherlands has failed, giving the coalition government a brief reprieve. The country is heading towards elections in October.

The withdrawal of a center-right party from the coalition, due to disagreements over imposing stricter measures against Israel, had led to political uncertainty. Specifically, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and his colleagues resigned from the New Social Contract party, leaving the government with a reduced majority.

Schoof will now need the support of other opposition parties to implement his policies, which are setting demands that are unlikely to be met. For example, Geert Wilders is calling for an immediate ban on asylum seekers, while the largest left-wing party is demanding a tougher stance against Israel.

Elections are scheduled for October, but negotiations to form a government are expected to last for months.