Title: Navigating the Dutch Political Labyrinth: Wilders' Quest for Coalition Partners
Geert Wilders, our jubilant election winner, has kicked off the government formation dance in the Netherlands, but it's going to be a twirling marathon rather than a quick samba. With the VVD, a traditional coalition partner, refusing to step back onto the dancefloor, Wilders' search for a stable right-wing majority becomes quite the difficult jive.
Wilders, with 37 parliament seats, had to swallow his first rebuff straight away when the VVD, which lost ten seats, clapped back with an emphatic "no, thanks." This essentially seals the fate of Wilders’ goal for a right-wing majority, necessitating a search for alternative partners.
Ruling out another coalition with the VVD, Wilders could resort to a minority government backed by their party or aim for that elusive stable right-wing majority. In the meanwhile, the New Social Contract (NSC) of former Christian Democrat Pieter Omtzigt, a fresh face with 20 seats, emerges as a potential dance partner.
Though they vowed to never tango together during the elections, Omtzigt showed a hint of openness on election night, eager to "jump over his [Wilders] shadow" for the sake of national progress. However, that shadow may prove too deep for Omtzigt to leap, especially given their differing political ideologies and goals.
As both parties share a unified stance on immigration, they could quickly strike a chord on the issue. The NSC also supports a migration quota, which could be music to Wilders' ears. Yet, disagreements on leadership, the constitution, and the rule of law may threaten to disrupt the melody, resulting in discordant notes.
Wilders, known for his fiery promises to stop the "asylum tsunami" on election night, will undoubtedly face scrutiny about his sincerity. Even left-liberal Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag chimed in, stating that Wilders needs to walk an arduous path to shed his past image as an excluder and discriminator.
As the negotiations begin, Wilders will need to convince Omtzigt to join him, then secure VVD’s support and weather opposition form the left-wing parties like the Social Democrats, Greens, and D66. This dance of deals will prove tense, tiresome, and teetering on the brink of collapse if Wilders doesn't tread carefully.
As the music of Dutch politics continues, it remains to be seen whether Wilders and his partners will take the floor and give their best performance. The challenge of crafting a coalition, particularly with Wilders' past rhetoric and policies in the spotlight, presents an intricate puzzle for the politically inclined.
Sources: [1] Hoedeman, J. (2021, March 16). Geert Wilders' party PVV makes gains in Dutch election but misses majority. [Deutsche Welle]. Retrieved from [2] Baidem, I. (2021, March 16). Dutch election results: What you need to know. [The Guardian]. Retrieved from
