The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof announced his resignation, hours after the leader of anti-Muslim PVV party Geert Wilders left the governing coalition, an action that will likely lead to early elections.

Ministers from the PVV will leave the government, which will continue its work as a caretaker government.

Schoof called Wilders’ decision “irresponsible”. “In the last few days I have repeatedly informed the four party leaders that, in my view, the fall of the government was not necessary and is irresponsible,” he told reporters. He assured, however, that he would remain as service chief until a new government is formed.

The elections are unlikely to be held before October. Usually, due to the fragmented political landscape in the Netherlands, the formation of a new government takes many months.

Earlier, Wilders announced that his party was pulling out of the governing coalition because the three other partners were not willing to support his ideas on asylum and illegal immigration. “There was no signature on our plan on asylum. The PVV is leaving the coalition,” he said in a post on platform X.

The other parties in the governing coalition have the option of attempting to continue to govern as a minority government, but it is not believed they will go that route. Opposition parties have called for new parliamentary elections to be called.