Dutch Government Collapses Amid Immigration Policy Dispute

The Dutch government collapsed after failing to reach a deal on restricting immigration, triggering new elections in the fall. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party sought to limit the flow of asylum seekers, but two coalition partners refused to support the proposal. Tensions escalated when Rutte demanded support for a plan to restrict entrance of children of war refugees and delay family reunification. The small Christian Union and liberal D66 opposed the proposal, leading to a stalemate. The current coalition will serve as a caretaker government until new elections are held, likely in mid-November.