New attempt to form government with right-wing populists
Following the election victory of right-wing populist Geert Wilders, the formation of a government in the Netherlands is now set to begin at the second attempt.
The current speaker of parliament has commissioned former minister Ronald Plasterk in The Hague to sound out the chances of a coalition. A first attempt had failed as the first sounding board member, a member of parliament from the radical-right Wilders party, resigned due to allegations of fraud.
The new sounding board member Plasterk is to hold talks with all parliamentary group leaders and present his report on December 5. Only then can the substantive talks between the possible new coalition parties begin.
Who could Wilders form a coalition with?
Wilders' anti-Islam party won 37 of the 150 seats in parliament last week. Traditionally, the ball is now in his court to form a coalition. He needs at least two parties for a majority. The only realistic partners are the right-wing liberal VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the new center party New Social Contract. Although the VVD rejects participation in the government, it would tolerate a right-wing minority government.
Wilders reiterated his willingness to negotiate: "The voters want me to do my best to get to the negotiating table and then participate in the national government in whatever way I can." The right-wing populist had affirmed that he wanted to put his highly controversial demands, such as a ban on the Koran and the closure of mosques, on hold.
Geert Wilders, having secured a majority with 37 seats in the elections, now faces the task of forming a coalition government with potential partners. Despite the VVD's rejection of participating in government, they may tolerate a right-wing minority government, making them a potential ally. The talks for coalition formation are set to begin in earnest after Ronald Plasterk presents his report to Parliament on December 5.
Source: www.dpa.com
