Geert Wilders, the anti-Islamic populist leader of the Netherlands, has withdrawn his candidacy for prime minister. Even after his party’s stunning triumph in the elections of 2023.
“Only with the backing of EVERY party in the coalition can I become prime minister. That was untrue,” he said on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter.
Geert Wilder hopes for a coalition with the other three parties
With 24 seats, the center-right Freedom and Democracy Party (VVD) of retiring Prime Minister Mark Rutte finished third, and Wilders had intended to join forces with them to create a coalition. and the recently established New Social Contract Party, which secured 20 seats to finish fourth.
With 81 seats, the conservative alliance would have had a majority in the Dutch parliament.
Source: PBC
Greet Wilder hopes go in vain
However, Wilders’ ascent to the premiership was halted when NSC chief Pieter Omtzigt pulled out of coalition negotiations with the PVV last month. Omtzigt’s choice to “throw in the towel” was deemed “incredibly disappointing” by Wilders.
The long-standing “cordon sanitaire” policy may be reasserted by the NSC and PVV’s refusal to work with Wilders. Where in more established parties decline to work with specific populist parties.
Even though Wilders acknowledged loss this time, he promised to keep pursuing the position of prime minister in the future.
