The power of the coalition waned with the introduction of List Pim Fortuyn in the Dutch general election of 2002 , a populist party , which ran a distinctly anti-immigration and anti-purple campaign , citing " Purple Chaos " ( '' Puinhopen van Paars '' ) as the source of the countries social woes . In the first political assassination for three centuries , Fortuyn was murdered with little over a week left before the election . In the wake of its leader 's death , LPF swept the elections , entering parliament with one-sixth of the seats , while the PvdA ( Labour ) lost half of its seats . The ensuing cabinet was formed by CDA , VVD and LPF , led by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende . Though the party succeeded in displacing the rival Purple Coalition , without the charismatic figure of Pim Fortuyn at its helm , it proved to be short-lived ; lasting a mere 87 days in government
murdered
Assassination of Pim Fortuyn
History of the Netherlands