Netherlands: Government change provides ‘good hope’ for civil society

Goede Doelen Nederland (GDN) has reacted with guarded optimism to the collapse of the country’s governing coalition, whose largest member was the far-right party led by Geert Wilders.

In a statement, the EFA member said that the administration had had “far-reaching consequences for a large number of charities”, including negatively impacting the right to demonstrate, access to justice for civil society organizations, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and information.

The Schoof cabinet, led by independent politician Dick Schoof as prime minister, took power in the Netherlands in July 2024. This followed an election in November, in which Wilder’s PVV had won 37 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives.

The departure of PVV from the cabinet on 3 June 2025, following a row of migration policy, means that there will now be new elections in October. Schoof remains Prime Minister until then.

A statement posted on GDN’s website on 6 June, which does not name any of the parties specifically, also says:

“The work of charities is indispensable for society. They provide solutions for social issues, innovate, signal and provide meaning, social cohesion and resilience. Citizens and communities are actively involved throughout the Netherlands. They are the cement of society.”

The statement, which has the title ‘Cabinet fall: Good hope for more room for civil society’, continues:

“It is therefore crucial that with a new cabinet, the space for civil society is safeguarded. A society that plays a crucial role in a society where we are not opposed to each other, but together seek solutions for the challenges of our time. Where volunteers and the rule of law are respected and valued. As Goede Doelen Nederland, we continue to work towards this.”

Concerns about legislation

A week before PVV withdrew from the Government’s demise, GDN reiterated concerns about the proposed Wet transparantie maatschappelijke organisaties (WTMO – or Civil Society Ogranisations Transparency Act) which is currently going through the country’s parliament.

In a statement citing several other concerned organisations, GDN says:

“We endorse the importance of a safe society and good protection against undermining the democratic constitutional state. However, we believe that the current legislation is sufficient. No evidence has been provided that the proposed measures are necessary and effective in achieving the intended goal.”

Privacy First Foundation said in a January letter to Dutch parliamentarians that WTMO is “an unnecessary and harmful bill”. Of its supposed aim of countering illegitimate financial influences on public life, the organisation says the bill “adds nothing to all the possibilities that already exist in Dutch law to this end”.

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), which is cited in GDN’s response, recently highlighted two other current proposals in the Netherlands which “could be used to stifle dissent and criminalise CSOs”, or may lead to “disproportionate policing of protests”.