Dutch coalition government topples over NATO Afghan request
February 20th, 2010 - 2:07 pm ICT by BNO NewsTHE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — A long crisis over a NATO request that asked Dutch troops to remain in Afghanistan toppled the coalition government on early Saturday.
Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende confirmed the news in a press conference shortly after 4.15 a.m. local time, following cabinet talks of more than 15 hours. “The continuation of a cabinet can never be the goal of itself,” Balkenende said.
The crisis erupted on Wednesday when Deputy Prime Minister and Labour leader Wouter Bos said he and his party were opposed to a NATO request to extend the Dutch mission in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan beyond its agreed 2010 end date. The Christian Democrats and the Christian Union wanted to keep all options on the table until March 1, the deadline for the decision.
Labour leader Wouter Bos, whose party will exit the coalition, is expected to hold a news conference at 5.00 a.m. local time.
Controversial member of parliament Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom, welcomed the news on his Twitter account. “Elections!! Fantastic news, pull out the flag,” Wilders wrote. “Finally the voter can speak.”
Wilders, who received international media coverage over his criticism of Muslim ideology and called for the Koran to be banned in Holland, is expected to make big gains during the general elections.
Dutch law requires general elections to be held within 83 days.
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- Voters topple Dutch government - Jun 10, 2010
- Dutch MP James Sharpe resigns amid growing scandals - Nov 18, 2010
- Dutch PM, cabinet tender resignation - Apr 24, 2012
- Dutch government falls over Afghan mission - Feb 20, 2010
- U.S. Vice President Biden talks with Dutch Deputy PM Bos - Jan 20, 2010
- Dutch troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan - Aug 01, 2010
- Amsterdam mayor resigns, announces candidacy for Dutch Labour Party leader - Mar 12, 2010
- Dutch MP Wilders launches fierce verbal attack on Turkish PM, Islam - Mar 06, 2010
- Report: Amsterdam mayor to resign to become party leader - Mar 12, 2010
Tags: balkenende, bno, christian democrats, coalition government, continuation, controversial member, deputy prime minister, dutch law, dutch prime minister, dutch troops, fantastic news, general elections, hague, international media coverage, koran, labour leader, member of parliament, news conference, uruzgan, wouter bos