What's happened
The VVD party has announced it will not form a coalition with Geert Wilders after the upcoming elections on October 29. VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz criticized Wilders as untrustworthy, following his withdrawal from the current coalition over immigration disputes. This decision significantly impacts Wilders' chances of returning to power.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Political Landscape: The VVD's refusal to work with Wilders indicates a significant shift in Dutch politics, potentially isolating the far-right leader.
- Voter Sentiment: Polls suggest Wilders' support is waning, with the VVD and Green-Labour alliance gaining ground.
- Future Coalitions: The likelihood of a VVD-led coalition or a centre-left arrangement is increasing, as major parties distance themselves from Wilders.
- Implications for Governance: The current caretaker government faces challenges in addressing controversial issues until elections, creating uncertainty in Dutch governance.
This situation underscores the evolving dynamics in Dutch politics, where coalition-building is becoming increasingly complex and contentious.
What the papers say
According to Jon Henley in The Guardian, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz labeled Wilders as 'an unbelievably untrustworthy partner' and stated, 'We are not going to work with him again.' This sentiment reflects a broader consensus among major parties against collaborating with the far-right leader. Meanwhile, Bloomberg highlights that Wilders is losing support among voters, suggesting that his aggressive tactics may be alienating potential allies. The Byline Times provides a detailed account of the coalition's collapse, emphasizing Wilders' dictatorial approach and the resulting instability in governance. These perspectives illustrate the multifaceted challenges facing Dutch politics as the elections approach.
How we got here
Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) previously led a coalition government with the VVD, BBB, and NSC. However, tensions over immigration policy led to Wilders pulling his ministers from the coalition, resulting in the government's collapse. The upcoming elections will determine the future political landscape in the Netherlands.
Go deeper
- What led to the coalition's collapse?
- How are voters reacting to Wilders' actions?
- What are the potential outcomes of the upcoming elections?
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More on these topics
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Geert Wilders is a Dutch politician who has been Leader of the Party for Freedom since he founded it in 2006. Wilders is the parliamentary leader of his party in the House of Representatives.
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The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria "Dick" Schoof is a Dutch civil servant. Since March 2020, he has been secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security.