Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders has abandoned his bid to become the Netherlands’ next prime minister, despite his party’s spectacular election victory in November.
Wilders, who has run on a far-right, anti-Islam platform with his Freedom Party (PVV), wrote in a post on X on Wednesday afternoon: “I can only become Prime Minister if ALL parties in the coalition support it”. That was not the case.
‘I would like a right-wing cabinet. Less asylum and immigration. Dutch on 1. The love for my country and my voters is great and more important than my own position.’
Wilders’ announcement came as many in the Netherlands awaited a report on ongoing coalition talks. amid speculation about a breakthrough that could result in a technocratic government.
The man overseeing negotiations between the political parties, Kim Putters, has said the disputing parties were ready to take the “next step” after two days of “good, intense” talks on a rural estate.
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders (pictured) has abandoned his bid to become the next prime minister of the Netherlands.
‘I would like a right-wing cabinet. Less asylum and immigration,’ he said.
Wilders’ announcement came as many in the Netherlands awaited a report on ongoing coalition talks, amid speculation of a breakthrough.
Dutch party leaders have remained quiet during the process, but public broadcaster NOS reported that the most likely outcome for Thursday’s report was an “extra-parliamentary” or technocratic cabinet.
It is unclear exactly what form this could take, but four party leaders are expected to act as MPs.
Parties would name cabinet members, but they could come from “ordinary” party members or even from outside politics, according to media reports.
Wilders surprised the Netherlands and Europe with a convincing victory in the November elections that put him in pole position to lead coalition negotiations.
Unlike Britain, France or the United States, for example, the Netherlands has a very fractured political system, meaning that no party is strong enough to govern on its own.
Therefore, the far-right leader’s Freedom Party (PVV) began talks with the centre-right liberal party VVD, the farmers’ party BBB and a new party, the New Social Contract (NSC).
The NSC, led by anti-corruption champion Pieter Omtzigt, was the other new factor in the elections, winning 20 seats and making it indispensable in any coalition.
The man overseeing negotiations between the political parties, Kim Putters (pictured, left), has said the disputing parties were ready to take the “next step” after two days of “good, intense” talks. .
In February, anti-corruption champion Pieter Omtzigt (pictured, right) abruptly left coalition talks.
But almost immediately after the PVV’s victory in November, tensions broke out between political parties, In particular, the NSC raised questions about the PVV’s far-right manifesto.
The PVV manifesto calls for, among other things, the banning of mosques, the Koran and Islamic veils. He also wants a binding referendum on a “Nexit”: the departure of the Netherlands from the European Union.
In February, Omtzigt abruptly abandoned coalition talks, plunging the process into chaos, as differences between his party and the PVV were “too great” to bridge.
At the time, Algemeen Dagblad newspaper described the talks as a “slow-motion disaster” with “venom, mutual attacks, gossip.”
A new person, known in the Netherlands as an “informant”, was appointed to monitor the talks and this appears to have broken the deadlock.
The new informant, Putters, managed to get the four party leaders back to the negotiating table and talks reportedly moved towards a technocratic government.
The clock is ticking for the Netherlands to find a prime minister as the man holding the fort, Mark Rutte, is expected to become NATO’s new secretary general.
Since the election, support for the PVV has only grown, polls suggest, as voters express frustration at the slow pace of talks.
“Don’t forget: one day I will be Prime Minister of the Netherlands. With the support of even more Dutch people,” Wilders posted.
—If not tomorrow, the day after tomorrow. Because the voices of millions of Dutch people will be heard!’