Dutch govt in disarray as far right party quits coalition

The Dutch government is facing a political crisis after Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), announced his party's withdrawal from the coalition on Tuesday, owing to a lack of agreement on asylum policy in Netherlands.

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The move could mark the end of the current government, observers said.

"I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands," Wilders told reporters Tuesday morning, reports CNN. "And our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends here."

Wilders' decision to withdraw support for the most right-leaning government in Dutch history has plunged the country's politics into chaos. It leaves the government, led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, with just 51 out of 150 seats in parliament.

Opposition leaders have called for immediate elections. Schoof, who has clashed with Wilders over policy, has not yet commented.

Current opinion polls suggest if elections were held today, the PVV would lose seats but remain the largest party, just ahead of the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy.