Prime Minister Schoof told the press that he would formally submit his resignation to the King and Wilders’ decision was unnecessary and irresponsible. Schoof will continue to serve as caretaker Prime Minister until a new cabinet is formed after new elections.

The PVV’s departure from the coalition marks a new phase of political instability for Netherlands, the European Union’s fifth-largest economy, amid growing influence of far-right parties across the continent.

The crisis comes just weeks before the Netherlands is set to host the NATO Summit on June 24–25 in The Hague.