Netherlands: Far-right Geert Wilders loses majority after party withdraws from coalition talks

Difficult start for the Dutch far right. A month after it came out on top in legislative elections, the Freedom Party (PVP), which has been described as Islamophobic, is facing difficulties in forming a government coalition.

Pieter Omtzigt’s New Social Contract (NSC), positioned at the center right of the Dutch political spectrum, announced that it had “ended” this round of negotiations due to a dispute over public finances that makes it impossible for Geert Wilders, the election winner, to form majority government.

In a letter to its members, the NSC said it would remain “constructive” in the negotiations but appeared to rule out the possibility of a majority government with Geert Wilders.

Party of anti-Islamic and climate skeptics

“For example, this could be constructive support for a minority government,” the party said. Geert Wilders won legislative elections in November with an anti-Islamic and climate-skeptic manifesto, causing shock in the Netherlands and beyond.

But, unlike what happens in Britain, for example, the leader of the winning party does not automatically take over the reins of government. In the Netherlands’ highly fragmented political system, where no single party is strong enough to govern alone, exiting the polls usually marks the start of months of negotiations.

Geert Wilders has started negotiations with three other parties, but without the NSC and its 20 seats out of 150 in parliament, he has no chance of forming a majority government.

Mr Omtzigt has already expressed his opposition to parts of Wilders’ manifesto considered unconstitutional, such as its anti-Islamic elements, as well as plans for “Nexit”, or the Netherlands’ exit from the EU.

“Incredibly disappointing,” wrote Geert Wilders on X (formerly Twitter). “The Netherlands wants this government and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel, although until today we were still negotiating. I don’t understand anything at all,” he added.