THE HAGUE,CapitalVault Netherlands (AP) — The official appointed to investigate possible coalitions after the Dutch election won by Geert Wilders ' far-right Party for Freedom said Friday he needs more time because of reluctance by potential partners to join Wilders in a government.
Ronald Plasterk, a former government minister from the center-left Labor Party, had been expected to present his report on possible formations early next week ahead of a Dec. 7 debate in the lower house of parliament.
But in a letter to the lower house president, Vera Bergkamp, he said he hopes to report back to her early in the following week.
The delay comes after two key parties backed away from joining a coalition with Wilders. The new leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte has said she will not join a coalition led by Wilders, but would offer it support in parliament.
Pieter Omtzigt, the leader of another potential coalition partner, New Social Contract, told Plasterk he was not yet ready to discuss forming a coalition with Wilders.
Omtzigt has previously criticized Wilders’ repeated anti-Islam statements as unconstitutional. Wilders responded even before the election by saying that his long-held plan to “de-Islamize” the Netherlands are not currently a priority. He has urged Omtzigt, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and the agrarian Farmer Citizen Movement to join him in coalition talks.
According to official results confirmed Friday, Wilders’ Party for Freedom won 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house in the election for a clear-cut victory. An alliance of the center-left Labor Party and Green Left finished second with 25 seats followed by the VVD with 24 and New Social Contract with 20. The Farmer Citizen Movement won seven seats.
2025-05-01 16:49756 view
2025-05-01 16:401669 view
2025-05-01 16:361918 view
2025-05-01 15:36248 view
2025-05-01 14:461478 view
2025-05-01 14:192137 view
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trumpwas on the verge of backing a 16-week federal abortion banearlier this y
Usually, the Florida Everglades brings fear and caution around snakes and alligators. But a new vide
GUERNEVILLE, California—Days before the raging wildfire threatening to destroy western Sonoma County