Dutch farmers 'ready for elections' after fall of Rutte government

Caroline van der Plas, leader of the Dutch Farmers' Party, has hinted at her ambition to become prime minister. Photo: REMCO DE WAAL/AFP

The Dutch Farmers' Party is ready to fight in the general election, its leader said after the Dutch government fell over migration disputes.

The campaign comes after a landslide victory for the Movement Citizen Farmers (BBB) ​​in regional elections in March, dominated by tractor workers' protests against green legislation.

«The banners and flags are still in the barn,» Caroline van der Plas said after Prime Minister Mark Rutte's ruling coalition collapsed Friday night.

When asked if she had ambitions to become prime minister, the farmer's daughter and former journalist replied: «If she comes, she will.»

Ms van der Plas posted on social media networks, a photo of her smiling on the outdoor terrace, with the caption «What did you look like when the wardrobe fell?».

Hoe keek u toen het #Kabinet viel? pic.twitter.com/o6bhDLxIpQ

— Caroline van der Plas (@lientje1967) July 7, 2023

Recent polls show that the BBB will become the largest party in the Netherlands after the elections now due in November.

In March, it came out of nowhere and became the largest party in all 12 provinces of the Netherlands in a vote that became a referendum on Rutte's 13-year tenure.

The other dominant political force is projected to be Mr. Rutte's conservative VVD, which is currently the largest party.

Ms van der Plas, who is currently the only MP for the BBB and only founded the party in 2019, is open to joining a coalition with the VVD.

But she ruled out such a pact if it is led by Mr. Rutte, the longest-serving prime minister of the Netherlands.

The BBB accuses Mr Rutte of pushing for mandatory farm buyouts to cut nitrogen emissions caused by manure and fertilizers and meet EU climate targets.

The coalition was predicted to not survive the BBB triumph in March for long, despite the fact that general elections were only to be held in 2025 before the government fell.

Farmers blocked the highway with their tractors during a protest last June. Photo: VINCENT JANNINK/AFP

It was not the nitrogen crisis that ended Mr. Rutte's fourth coalition government, but his attempt to limit the right of asylum seekers to bring their families to the Netherlands.

Mr. Rutte called for a crackdown on family reunification, but this infuriated two of the four parties in the ruling Conservative-Liberal coalition.

He was accused of taking “my Way or Highway» after a week of late-night government bailout talks failed.

«It's no secret that coalition partners have very different views on migration policy,» Mr. Rutte said in The Hague. on Friday.

“Unfortunately, we must conclude that these differences are irreconcilable.”

Mr. Rutte said he had the energy and ideas to remain the leader of the VVD, but said that he would consult with the party leadership before deciding whether to continue.

«I'll think about it for a while,» said the politician, nicknamed «Teflon Mark» for his ability to emerge from crises unscathed.

The current government will act as temporary executor until the end of the elections.