Highlights: The Netherlands still without a government, Geert Wilders in a delicate situation. The big winner of the legislative elections in November 2023, the flamboyant leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) fails to form a government. Pieter Omtigt is the leader of a centrist party (NSC) which obtained 20 seats in Parliament. The result is this “incredibly disappointing ” failure, the far-right leader reacted on social networks.

The Netherlands still without a government, Geert Wilders in a delicate situation

This is a major setback for Geert Wilders and for the supporters of the leader of the far right in the Netherlands. The big winner of the legislative elections in November 2023, the flamboyant leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) fails to form a government. The negotiations lasted for almost three months and ended in failure.

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, November 22, 2023. AP - Peter Dejong

By: RFI Follow

Pieter Omtzig, one of Geert Wilders' main partners, announced on Tuesday February 6 his withdrawal from discussions to form a coalition. A resounding announcement in the

Netherlands

since Geert Wilders absolutely needed him to form a government.

Also read: Geert Wilders, the far-right tribune on the threshold of power in the Netherlands

Pieter Omtigt is the leader of a centrist party (NSC) which obtained 20 seats in Parliament and which believes that Geert Wilders' financial plans do not hold up: the far-right leader wants to lower taxes, but without reducing expenses. This is the reason officially given. But the centrist party is also worried about Geert Wilders' anti-Islam and anti-European positions. The result is this “

incredibly disappointing

” failure, the far-right leader reacted on social networks.

Ongelooflijk wat teleurstellend. Nederland wil dit kabinet en nu gooit Pieter #Omtzigt de handdoek in de ring terwijl we tot vandaag nog in gesprek waren. Ik begrijp er helemaal niets van. #format

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) February 6, 2024

Several options are now possible. Geert Wilders, whose party is still the largest in Parliament with 37 deputies, could obtain the right to try again to reach a coalition agreement, but with a new negotiator. He could also try to lead with a minority government.

But Parliament could also decide to ask another party to try to lead a coalition. Last option, but it would be unprecedented in the Netherlands, to hold new elections. Geert Wilders does not hesitate to mention this scenario. It must be said that the polls are favorable to him, and promise him an even wider victory and an even larger parliamentary group in the event of a new election.

Read alsoNetherlands: resignation of senator PVV responsible for helping to find a coalition

The Netherlands still without a government, Geert Wilders in a delicate situation

The Netherlands still without a government, Geert Wilders in a delicate situation

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest