THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Far-right leader Geert Wilders’ hopes of forming a majority government in the Netherlands were in tatters Tuesday as a key negotiating party abruptly withdrew over a row about public finances.
The New Social Contract of anti-corruption champion Pieter Omtzigt announced it was “finished” with this round of coalition talks, making it impossible as it stands for Wilders to form a majority.
The NSC said it would remain “constructive” in talks over forming a government but appeared to rule out serving in a majority cabinet with Wilders.
“It could be a constructive support for a minority cabinet for example,” said the NSC in a letter.
Wilders stunned the Netherlands and Europe by storming to victory in November’s election with an anti-Islam, climate-change-denying manifesto that would ban mosques and the Koran.
But elections in the fragmented Dutch system usher in months of haggling over a coalition government.
Wilders has opened talks with three other parties but without the NSC and its 20 seats in the 150-seat parliament, he has no chance of forming a majority cabinet.
The far-right leader has already clashed with Omtzigt over parts of the Wilders manifesto seen as anti-constitutional like its anti-Islam elements but also plans for a “Nexit”, or a Dutch exit from the EU.
“Incredibly disappointing,” Wilders wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“The Netherlands wants this cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in talks until today. I don’t get it at all,” he added. —AFP
