Why Geert Wilders’ plan to become Netherlands leader may well backfire

Dutch far-right leader's withdrawal from ruling coalition has upset allies and misjudged political landscape

It is a gamble that Geert Wilders may live to regret. Increasingly frustrated by his coalition partners' unwillingness to embrace his promised strictest asylum policy in Europe", the Dutch far-right leader brought down the government.

Wilders' calculation, if it is more than a fit of political pique, appears simple: if he can turn this autumn's snap elections into a referendum on immigration and asylum, his Freedom party (PVV) can win it - and he might even become the Netherlands' prime minister.