Dutch anti-Islam populist leader Geert Wilders has abandoned his bid to become prime minister, despite his party’s dramatic victory in the 2023 elections.
“I can only become prime minister if ALL parties in the coalition support it. That was not the case,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. His Freedom Party (PVV) won the most votes last year, but needed support of other parties to form a coalition.
Talks continue with three other parties on the shape of a new government. The negotiator leading the latest round of talks, which concluded on Tuesday, is due to share his report with parliament on Thursday.
“I would like a right-wing cabinet. Less asylum and immigration. Dutch people first. The love for my country and voters is great and more important than my own position,” Mr Wilders wrote in his post on Wednesday evening.
Mr Wilders, 60, has spent months in talks with the centre-right liberal VVD, New Social Contract (NSC) and BBB farmers’ parties to try to form a coalition government.
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