First jubilation, then poker: election winner Wilders seeks partners
The Hague dpa - Following the triumphant election victory of right-wing populist Geert Wilders, the poker game of forming a government has begun in the Netherlands. It will be a difficult search for a coalition capable of winning a majority.
Right-winger Wilders (60) had to face his first rebuff right away, however. The right-wing liberal governing party VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte refused to participate in a government again after 13 years. This makes it almost impossible for Wilders to find a stable right-wing majority. He can now head for a minority government supported by the VVD.
The radical right-wing anti-Islam party PVV won 37 of the 150 parliamentary seats in Wednesday's election. The VVD lost ten seats and ended up with 24 seats, behind the red-green alliance, which won 25 seats. At least three parties are needed for a majority.
VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz justified her party's rejection with the large losses in the election. "The voters have said: VVD, sit out a round." However, she was prepared to make a "coalition of winners" possible. "We will support constructive proposals."
Forming a government over months?
Wilders was disappointed. No wonder, as Yesilgöz had initially signaled a willingness to talk. "That doesn't make things any easier," said Wilders. "It may now take months to form a government."
An exploratory committee has now been appointed to sound out the chances of a coalition. The talks are due to start on Monday.
There is now another important partner for Wilders: the recently founded New Social Contract (NSC) of former Christian Democrat Pieter Omtzigt, which won 20 seats at the first attempt. Omtzigt had ruled out a coalition with Wilders during the election campaign, but indicated a willingness to talk on election night: now it would be necessary to "jump over his shadow". However, this leap would have to be huge for Omtzigt.
The two could probably come to an agreement quickly on the big issue of migration. The NSC also wants a quota for immigration. But there are fundamental differences. Omtzigt ran on the promise of a new leadership culture, greater importance for the constitution and the rule of law. This is difficult to reconcile with the PVV, which wants to ban the Koran and mosques and close borders for asylum seekers. The PVV wants to leave the EU and end climate protection.
Wilders was mild: "We will stay within the framework of the constitution," he promised. "We will all have to make concessions. I will also be honest." But many are wondering what these words are worth. On election night, he had promised his supporters that he would stop the "asylum tsunami" and "give the Netherlands back to the Dutch".
Left-liberal Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag said that Wilders had been excluding, discriminating against and insulting people for around 20 years. "He can now pretend to be Mother Teresa, but he still has a long way to go."
Wilders must now succeed in tying Omtzigt to him and then secure the support of the VVD. He cannot count on the opposition. The left-wing parties in particular, especially the Social Democrats, Greens and D66, want to lead a tough opposition.
Wilders' pursuit of a coalition partner became more complex after the VVD's rejection, as the radical right-wing PVV relies on the VVD for a potential right-wing majority in the Dutch Parliament. During the elections, Geert Wilders sought to form a government with the right-wing liberal VVD and the newly formed New Social Contract (NSC).
With the VVD refusing to participate in another governing coalition, it remains uncertain whether Wilders can establish a stable right-wing majority, leaving the New Social Contract as a potential key partner. The PVV and NSC share common ground on issues like immigration, but significant differences exist in terms of leadership, the constitution, and rule of law, which could complicate talks between the two parties.
Source: www.dpa.com
