The Dutch government has collapsed after failing to reach an agreement on restricting immigration, leading to the announcement of new elections later this year. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party had pushed for limitations on the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands, but two of the four-party coalition government refused to support the proposal. The differences in immigration policy became "insurmountable," according to Rutte, who announced the resignation of the entire cabinet.

The disagreement centered around family reunification rules, with the VVD aiming to limit the entry of children of war refugees already in the country. The proposal included a waiting period of at least two years before families could be united. The small Christian Union and liberal D66 parties opposed these measures, leading to a stalemate.

While the Netherlands already has one of the strictest immigration policies in Europe, the government has been facing increasing asylum applications. The number of applicants jumped by a third last year, and projections indicate that it could exceed 70,000 this year. The collapse of the government further adds to the challenges of managing the influx of asylum seekers.

The Dutch government will now function as a caretaker government until new elections are held, which is expected to take place in mid-November. A caretaker government cannot make new policies, but Prime Minister Rutte assured that it would not affect the country's support for Ukraine. The upcoming elections will determine the next administration and its approach to immigration policy in the Netherlands.