Current:Home > MyThe Netherlands’ longtime ruling party says it won’t join a new government following far-right’s win-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
The Netherlands’ longtime ruling party says it won’t join a new government following far-right’s win
View Date:2024-12-23 15:21:39
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A senator from the Netherlands’ Party for Freedom was appointed Friday to investigate possible governing coalitions in the aftermath of the far-right party’s election victory, while the party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it would support a center-right administration in parliament but not join the next government.
The Party for Freedom, or PVV, led by veteran anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, won 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house, indicating a seismic shift to the right for the Netherlands. Rutte’s People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy won 24, 10 fewer than in the previous election, according to a near complete count of Wednesday’s votes.
After a meeting of party leaders at the parliament, PVV Senator Gom van Strien was appointed to investigate possible coalitions. Newly elected lawmakers will debate his findings on Dec. 6.
Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, the new leader of People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, or VVD, said in a statement on X that after losing 10 seats in the election the longtime ruling party would “make possible and constructively support a center-right Cabinet with good policies” but would not join a government.
Wilders called the decision, which was announced before formal coalition talks had begun, “extremely disappointing.”
The election result and appointment of Van Strien pave the way for Wilders to take the lead in forming a new coalition and potentially to succeed Rutte as prime minister. However, he will likely have to convince potential coalition partners that he would tone down some of his anti-Islam policies.
His party’s election platform states that the Netherlands “is not an Islamic country. No Islamic schools, Qurans and mosques.”
One potential coalition partner for Wilders is the recently formed New Social Contract party, or NSC, which won 20 seats. The party’s centrist leader, Pieter Omtzigt, said he could not accept “unconstitutional” policies.
Article 1 of the Constitution of the Netherlands outlaws discrimination “on grounds of religion, belief, political opinion, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or on any other grounds.”
In an election-night victory speech, Wilders pledged not to push any policies that would breach Dutch law or the constitution.
veryGood! (372)
Related
- She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
- RFK Jr. to defend bid to get on Pennsylvania ballot against Democrats’ challenge
- NASCAR Cup race at Michigan: Tyler Reddick pulls away with narrow win
- Supreme Court keeps new rules about sex discrimination in education on hold in half the country
- Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
- A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries
- Daylight saving 2024: When do we fall back? Make sure you know when the time change is.
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Monday August 19, 2024
- Alexandra Daddario Shares Candid Photo of Her Postpartum Body 6 Days After Giving Birth
- Detroit boy wounded in drive-by shooting at home with 7 other children inside
Ranking
- Jake Paul's only loss led him to retool the team preparing him to face Mike Tyson
- 'The Bachelorette' hometowns week: Top 4 contestants, where to watch
- DNC comes to 'Little Palestine' as Gaza deaths top 40,000
- California hits milestones toward 100% clean energy — but has a long way to go
- Black and Latino families displaced from Palm Springs neighborhood reach $27M tentative settlement
- PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Day 1
- Madonna Poses With All 6 Kids in Rare Family Photo From Italian Birthday Bash
- Sicily Yacht Survivor Details End of the World Experience While Saving Her Baby Girl in Freak Storm
Recommendation
-
Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
-
Ruff and tumble: Great Pyrenees wins Minnesota town's mayoral race in crowded field
-
Charli XCX Is Very Brat, Very Demure in Kim Kardashian’s Latest SKIMS Launch— Shop Styles Starting at $18
-
Powell may use Jackson Hole speech to hint at how fast and how far the Fed could cut rates
-
Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
-
Horoscopes Today, August 19, 2024
-
Halle Berry seeks sole custody of son, says ex-husband 'refuses to co-parent': Reports
-
Political newcomers seek to beat U.S. House, Senate incumbents in Wyoming