Geert Wilders Steps Back from Dutch Prime Ministerial Bid After Election Triumph
Controversial figure Geert Wilders has acknowledged that he won't pursue the role of the Dutch prime minister following the reluctance of his potential coalition partners to support his bid.
Geert Wilders, the outspoken leader of the far-right Freedom party (PVV), has accepted that he will not be the next prime minister of the Netherlands. This is because the other political parties he hoped would support him in forming a coalition government have declined to do so.
Last year, in the Dutch parliamentary elections, Wilders and his PVV party made a significant impact by winning 23.5% of the vote and securing 37 seats out of 150. This unexpected success was seen as a "Trump moment" for the Netherlands and sent shockwaves across Europe.
After weeks of negotiations, Wilders was unable to reach a deal with other parties and decided not to lead the upcoming government.
"I can only be Prime Minister if ALL parties in the coalition are on board. Unfortunately, that wasn't the situation. I was hoping for a conservative cabinet with less focus on asylum and immigration. Putting the Dutch people first," Wilders shared on X on Wednesday.
He added that his love for his country and its voters is greater and more important than his own position.
Wilders had originally hoped to form a coalition with the center-right Freedom and Democracy Party (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who came in third with 24 seats, as well as the newly formed New Social Contract Party, which secured fourth place with 20 seats.
The conservative coalition would have commanded 81 seats – enough for a majority in the Dutch parliament.
Giorgia Meloni's, leader of the far-right party Fratelli d'Italia, on the campaign trail in September 2022. Other populists are enjoying electoral success in Europe.
Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the far-right party Fratelli d'Italia, was seen on the campaign trail in September 2022. Along with her, other populist leaders in Europe are also experiencing electoral victories.
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Wilders' chances of becoming Prime Minister were thwarted when NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt pulled out of coalition discussions with the PVV last month. Wilders expressed his disappointment at Omtzigt's decision to back out of the talks.
Although there was a sudden increase in backing for far-right parties leading up to the election in November, Wilders' controversial anti-Islam, anti-immigration, anti-European Union, and Ukraine-skeptical stance was deemed too extreme by his potential allies.
The NSC and PVV's decision not to work with Wilders could be seen as the revival of the "cordon sanitaire," a rule where mainstream parties avoid collaborating with certain populist parties.
This strategy has previously been effective in keeping extremists from gaining power. For example, in the 2002 French Presidential election, when Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front defeated Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin, the Socialists rallied behind center-right candidate Jacques Chirac in the second-round runoff, securing him a landslide victory.
In recent years, the principle of not forming alliances with extremist groups has been compromised by some center-right parties. In Finland, Petteri Orpo, known for his reliability and level-headedness, became prime minister by forming a coalition with the nationalist Finns Party after Sanna Marin. Similarly, Swedish Prime Minister Ulif Kristersson depends on the support of the Sweden Democrats, who are becoming more Euroskeptic and anti-immigrant.
Far-right leaders in Europe have been experiencing a string of successes lately. From Georgia Meloni in Italy to Robert Fico in Slovakia, their influence is on the rise. Last weekend, Portugal saw the radical right Chega party making significant gains in the elections, positioning itself as a potential key player in the political landscape.
Even though Wilders accepted defeat in this election, he remains determined to pursue his goal of becoming the Prime Minister in the future.
I want to remind you that I will become the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. With the support of more Dutch people, it will happen, whether it's tomorrow or the day after. The voices of millions of Dutch people will make sure of that!
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the challenges faced by far-right parties in forming coalitions and gaining power. Despite significant electoral gains, Geert Wilders of the Netherlands was unable to secure the support of other parties, demonstrating the enduring power of the "cordon sanitaire" strategy. However, the rise of far-right leaders in Europe, including Giorgia Meloni in Italy, suggests that the cordon sanitaire may be weakening. Center-right parties have been willing to compromise their principles in pursuit of power, creating a more favorable environment for extremist groups.
Wilders' determination to become Prime Minister reflects the ongoing appeal of far-right ideologies. His anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and Euroskeptic views resonate with a significant portion of the Dutch population. While the cordon sanitaire may have temporarily halted his ambitions, Wilders' unwavering belief in his cause suggests that the battle for the future of Dutch politics is far from over.
