Will Geert Wilders and Dylan Yesilgez-Zegerius come to an understanding? Photo: SEM VAN DER WAL/AFP
The leader of the Netherlands' ruling Liberal Party said he could support far-right firebrand Geert Wilders as prime minister, but he would not officially join his government
Dilan Yesilgez- Zegerius, whose VVD finished third in Wednesday's Dutch elections, said her party would only support the right-wing coalition from the outside and in the hope of softening its policies.
The move could pave the way for an alliance between Mr Wilders' far-right, anti-Islamic Party for Freedom (PVV) and the centre-right New Social Contract (NSC).
Mr Wilders, who secured a surprise victory in election with 37 seats, Ms. Yesilgez-Zegerius said the decision to rule out the coalition before negotiations began was “very disappointing.”
“We are going to create a cabinet of winners.”
“The big winners are the PVV and the NSC. After 13 years, a different role suits us,” Ms. Yesilgez-Zegerius told reporters in The Hague on Friday.
“But we will make it possible to create a center-right cabinet. We will support constructive proposals, so it is a form of tolerance,” she added, hinting at a confidence and supply agreement to support the minority coalition.
“We are going to create a cabinet of winners.
Her decision could serve as either a boost or a blow to Mr. Wilders, who is vying to become Dutch prime minister after more than two decades as an outspoken but isolated politician.
p>Mr. Wilders reacted to the VVD's actions by saying: “I hope they change their minds, because governing is better than being tolerated.”
Without the liberals, it will be difficult for the leader of the PVV to win the 76 seats needed to form a majority government.
Ahead of national elections on Wednesday, Mr Wilders, who campaigned to ban mosques, has been toned down by the Koran and Islamic religious schools to tone down his incendiary rhetoric.
Peter Omtzigt, the leader of the NSC, refused to engage in speculation over whether he could join a coalition with Mr Wilders, saying: “It will be really difficult. everyone can see it in the results.”
Mr Omtzigt confirmed he would meet on Monday with Gom van Strien, a member of the PVV of the Dutch upper house who has been appointed as the official negotiator tasked with finding a coalition agreement.
He said it was “very special” that the liberal VVD withdrew from the process before formal negotiations were held.
During the election campaign, Mr Omtzigt said he would not govern with Mr Wilders' PVV as long as it wanted to ban Islam. from the Netherlands.
Caroline van der Plan, leader of the BBB farmers' party, said she was prepared to join a minority government “if it has to, it should.”
“In my opinion, it's about the people. and voters want something,” she added.
Deputies were brought to parliament on tractors
Newly elected deputies were brought to the parliament building on seven tractors, one for each politician.
Coalition Expected that negotiations will last several months, especially with so many parties concerned about supporting Mr Wilders and his far-right views.
VVD's decision not to join the cabinet leaves Mr Wilders 12 short of a majority , but only if the NSC and BBB sign on.
It is likely that any agreement to form a government will result in the troublemaker being forced to completely abandon a number of anti-Islamic policies and a plan to hold a referendum on secession from EU. Dutch membership of the European Union.
The last Dutch government took a record 299 days to form, and this time it is expected to take even longer.
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