Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte resigned Monday after a far-right party withdrew its support for his government, a government spokesman said. The move may clear the way for early elections in the Netherlands, possibly as soon as this summer, the government said. The resignation came after the far-right party withdrew from talks about an austerity package worth €14.2 billion, the equivalent of $18.6 billion, according to a news report reprinted on a parliamentary website. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet Tuesday to decide how to go forward, according to a report of CNN. Queen Beatrix asked Rutte and his ministers to stay in their positions until new elections. Rutte's government had depended on the support of Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom, which came in third in parliamentary elections two years ago.
