Right-wing Dutch populist Geert Wilders doesn't get it. The right-wing coalition he hopes for is increasingly unlikely.
Pieter Omtzigt broke off talks with right-wing populist Geert Wilders Photo: Ramon van Flymen/imago
It's over. The coalition of four right-wing parties led by Geert Wilders, which was negotiated for two months, will not come. A day after Pieter Omtzigt, head of the New Social Contract, announced his departure, the three remaining parties took notice.
The group no longer has a chance of reaching a mathematical majority; A minority government, which was very popular with Omtzigt, also disappeared after his hasty departure. Nobody knows what will happen next.
Once again, the Netherlands is heading towards a phase of long-term government formation, which also seems to be an expression of the latent political crisis in the country. For voters of the populist Freedom Party, this situation also represents the umpteenth proof that the establishment wants to keep the PVV and its Zampanist Geert Wilders away from power at all costs. Pieter Omtzigt's name is finally damaged in these circles.
Reason for a “stolen election”
The only way out of this impasse is through a newly formed coalition formula. To achieve this, Omtzigt's NSC, the liberal right-wing VVD and possibly the BBB peasant-citizen movement would have to make a turn and move to the left. With the red-green list they would have a stable majority. This option is mentioned here and there by analysts, although behind closed doors, because we know the stir it would cause in the right-wing camp.
At the same time, arithmetically, this path seems to be the only possible one. It would mean that he would have to face the debate with the disappointed voters of the PVV, for whom the motive of a “stolen election” would be evident in this case. And it would mean countering the narrative that Wilders repeatedly tries to claim that “the people” have spoken and decided in favor of the PVV.
This is not an easy task. But the alternative would be new elections. And according to polls, right-wing populists could currently have a third of the votes.