The Netherlands: The fall of the government does not stop the state nor the parliament

In France, the fall of a government generally results in a partial suspension of institutional functioning, particularly of Parliament. Not so in the Netherlands, where coalition governments are practiced in a purely parliamentary system.

Recently in France, after the European elections of June 9, 2024, President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve the National Assembly, leading to early parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7. These elections resulted in the absence of a clear majority, and on July 9, Gabriel Attal, then Prime Minister, submitted his resignation. In accordance with the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, the government then became resigned and was limited to dealing with current business within a very limited framework.

Conversely, in the Netherlands, even after the fall of a government, Parliament continues to function fully, in accordance with the principles of a purely parliamentary system. On July 2, 2025, the Schoof I cabinet fell following internal disagreements over migration policy. The government remained in place as a resigning cabinet responsible for managing day-to-day business. On July 4, 2025, barely two days after the cabinet's collapse, a major parliamentary debate on the criminalization of illegal immigrants and undocumented migrants began with a bang, even with the government resigning.

At the time of writing, the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) had just passed the highly controversial law criminalizing the illegality of illegal immigrants, as well as the individuals and associations that would assist them. To say the least, this law was not a routine matter that was easily dismissed. The debates were heated and full of twists and turns, as were the votes, which offered their share of reversals.

This debate illustrates the extent to which, in the Netherlands, political life does not stop in the event of a government crisis, and that Parliament retains the initiative even in times of instability. The outgoing government is still present, but the legislative process is being led by Parliament, which is fully assuming its role as the center of power.

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