Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s coalition government has collapsed after stormy talks between the four ruling parties over refugee policy, national media reported on Friday, as quoted by AFP.

“The government has failed to agree on measures to be taken to limit the influx of asylum seekers. This is what is being reported in The Hague,” says the website of the Dutch public broadcaster NOS. “This means the end of Rutte IV’s government,” she added.

Nicknamed “Teflon” for his ability to stay in power for 12 years despite scandals, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history, Rutte took over the reins of a fourth coalition in January 2022 after a record 271 days of negotiations.

But the head of the government, from the liberal right-wing VVD party, has sparked unease among his centre-right partners in recent days by asking them to adopt a series of divisive measures on the reception of asylum seekers.

Why did the breakup happen? Prime Minister Mark Rutte wants a monthly quota for refugee children

The head of government is asking the other three parties of the ruling coalition – the Christian Democrats of the CDA, the liberal centrists of the D66 and the small Protestant group ChritenUnie – to accept the establishment of a quota for the number of children from the conflict. zones that can receive asylum in the Netherlands.

Refugees already settled in the Netherlands will no longer be allowed to bring their children if the monthly quota of 200 children is already reached, he demanded.

“According to Rutte, if the project is not implemented, the VVD will leave the government,” reports the national daily NRC. “This is confirmed by several sources in the government,” he adds.

But two more flexible immigration parties, ChristenUnie and D66, opposed the project.

“Sources at ChristenUnie and D66 say that they are absolutely ready to make more efforts to bring about an overhaul of the immigration system, but it appears that Rutte is voluntarily taking a break,” writes NOS.