The Dutch government fell on Friday after failing to reach an agreement to limit immigration, and new elections are due to be held in the country in the fall.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The crisis began with pressure from Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative party to limit the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands, which two parties in his four-party coalition refused to support.
 
"It's no secret that the coalition partners have different views on immigration policy," Rutte told a televised news conference. Today, unfortunately, we have to come to the conclusion that these differences have become irresolvable. Therefore, I submit the resignation of the entire cabinet to the king."
 
Tensions came to a head this week when Rutte called for support for a proposal to limit the admission of refugee children who are currently in the Netherlands. Under the proposal, families would have to wait at least two years to be reunited with their children.
 
Rutte's coalition will serve as a caretaker government until a new government is formed after the election, a process that in the Netherlands usually takes months.
 
"ANP" news agency, citing the National Election Committee, reported that it will not be possible to hold elections before the middle of November.
 
An interim government cannot decide on new policies, but Rutte said that would not affect his country's support for Ukraine.
 
Holland already has one of Europe's toughest immigration policies, but under pressure from right-wing parties, Rutte has spent months trying to find ways to further reduce the influx of refugees.
 
The number of asylum applications in the Netherlands reached more than 46,000 last year, and the government has predicted that this number will increase to more than 70,000 this year.
 
Rutte's coalition, which came to power in January 2022, was his fourth consecutive government since becoming prime minister in October 2010.