Geert Wilders, the Dutch anti-Islam populist leader, has decided to withdraw his aspirations to become prime minister, despite his party, the Freedom Party (PVV), achieving a remarkable victory in the 2023 elections. In a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Wilders explained that the support of all parties in the coalition is necessary for him to assume the position of prime minister, which unfortunately did not materialize.
Although the PVV emerged as the party with the highest number of votes in the previous year’s elections, it still required the backing of other parties to form a coalition government. Currently, negotiations with three other parties regarding the formation of a new government are ongoing.
The appointed negotiator overseeing the latest round of discussions concluded the talks on Tuesday and is expected to present his findings to parliament on Thursday.
Mr. Wilders expressed his desire for a conservative cabinet with a focus on reducing asylum and immigration, while prioritizing Dutch interests. In a post on Wednesday evening, he emphasized his love for the country and its voters over his own ambitions.
At 60 years old, Mr. Wilders has been engaging in discussions with the VVD, NSC, and BBB parties to form a coalition government. The leaders of these parties have made it clear that they will only proceed if all four party leaders agree to not join the government.
It remains uncertain whether a compromise candidate for the prime minister’s position has been identified. A parliamentary debate on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.
The PVV’s success in the recent elections not only had a significant impact on Dutch politics but also reverberated across Europe, given the Netherlands’ status as a key member of the European Union.
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