Brief assessment by SRF correspondent Andrew ReichBrussels:
The government of Mark Rutte is finished – again. It is still unclear whether Rutte will stand in new elections. It is also unclear whether Rutte’s conservative People’s Party (VVD) will emerge victorious from the new elections. Because this time the “Peasant Citizens Movement” (BBB) will also get involved. The big winner of the regional elections in spring is likely to become a serious competitor for the VVD in new elections. In the spring regional elections, the BBB successfully converted widespread anger in the Netherlands about the government’s agricultural policy into voter shares.
But the election will probably not take place before November. Enough time for Rutte and his Conservatives to shake themselves and position themselves for the general election. If Rutte runs, he will probably go into the election campaign with the issue that has broken the government and promise a tougher line in migration policy. A popular concern for many voters.
Rutte is a political stand-up man – he has proven that often enough in the last 12 years. Probably no politician understands better than Mark Rutte how to build coalitions in the fragmented Dutch party landscape. Should he stand in new elections, then he will be a force to be reckoned with.