Far-right leader Geert Wilders' hopes of forming a majority government in the Netherlands collapsed on Tuesday (February 6), when a key party in coalition negotiations suddenly withdrew over a dispute over public finances.

Pieter Omtzigt's New Social Contract (NSC) announced that it was "finished" with this round of negotiations, which makes it impossible for Geert Wilders, winner of the elections, to form a government majority.

The NSC said in a letter to its members that it would remain "constructive" in negotiations but appeared to rule out the possibility of sitting in a majority government with Geert Wilders. “This could be constructive support for a minority government for example,” the party said.

Very fragmented system

Geert Wilders won the legislative elections in November with an anti-Islam, climate-sceptical and Islamophobic manifesto, causing shock waves in the Netherlands and beyond. But, unlike what happens in the United Kingdom for example, the leader of the victorious party does not automatically take the reins of the country. In the highly fragmented Dutch political system, where no party is strong enough to govern alone, exiting the polls generally 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.

Pieter Omtzigt had already expressed his disagreement with parts of Geert Wilders' manifesto considered unconstitutional, such as its anti-Islam elements, but also with plans for "Nexit", or an exit of the Netherlands from the EU.

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

“A little surprised”

Ronald Plasterk, a former minister now responsible for overseeing the negotiations, must report to Parliament no later than Monday on the progress of the discussions. He said he was "a little surprised" by the sudden decision, according to Dutch news agency ANP, adding that he found out via a simple message on his phone. His office had sent an email to journalists on Tuesday evening saying that the four parties would be around the table again on Wednesday – which will therefore not be the case.

The omens were already not positive as Monday's deadline for the release of Ronald Plasterk's highly anticipated report approached. “We have a serious problem,” warned Geert Wilders on X, after a possible coalition partner had allowed, through his vote in the Senate, the adoption of a controversial law on immigration. Geert Wilders then described Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the liberal center-right VVD party, as "bitter", who appeared to target him in a speech. 

Although a reduction of some 17 billion euros in spending appears necessary, Geert Wilders has promised tax cuts and no major reduction in spending, infuriating Pieter Omtzigt, who is known to be cautious on budgetary matters.

“Empty promises”

“The NSC under no circumstances wants to make promises to the Dutch that it knows in advance are empty promises that cannot be kept during the next ministerial term,” the party said in its letter.

Dilan Yeşilgöz and the last member of the negotiating quartet, Caroline van der Plas, of the pro-farmer BBB party, expressed their astonishment at the sudden decision. “I am very surprised. We had constructive discussions even today,” Dilan Yeşilgöz said on X. 

The Dutch are used to negotiations to form a government taking a long time – the last one took 271 days – and Mark Rutte remains Prime Minister until a possible agreement. Geert Wilders did not hesitate to talk about new elections if the talks failed. The latest polls even suggest a greater victory for the PVV, credited with 50 seats out of 150, compared to 37 today.

With AFP

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