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Dutch Anti-Islam Party Facing Hurdles To Form Government Despite Election Victory

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – The Dutch anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) faced hurdles Saturday to form a government despite winning most parliamentary seats in recent elections.

Ronald Plasterk, an outspoken leftist former politician and columnist appointed to investigate possible coalitions, said he needs more time.

He noted the “reluctance” by potential partners to join PVV leader Geert Wilders in a government despite his efforts to tone down harsh anti-Islam rhetoric.

Plasterk had been due to present his report on possible formations early next week ahead of a December debate in the lower house of parliament.

But in a letter to the lower house president, Vera Bergkamp, he said he hopes to report to her early next 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 its support in parliament.

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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.

He cited Wilders’ party’s program, which includes closing mosques and

Muslim schools, as well as forbidding headscarves in government buildings and banning the Koran, Islam’s perceived holy book, that Wilders once compared to cartoon character Donald Duck stories.

However, even before the election, Wilders already said that his long-held plans related to “de-Islamize” the Netherlands are “not currently a priority.” Wilders has however been one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel and its retaliatory strikes against Hamas and he has condemned perceived antisemitic protests in the Netherlands.

He has urged Omtzigt, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and the rural Farmer Citizen Movement, or BBB, in coalition talks. Official results confirmed Friday showed Wilders’ PVV party winning 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 BBB party got seven seats. On Saturday, news emerged that recounting would occur in a handful of voting sites, but the results were not expected to impact the overall outcome.