Delegated Power
Listen to Today's Edition:
The Netherlands is set to get its most right-wing government in its history after four right-wing parties reached a preliminary deal this week to form a government, following an election six months ago that saw the party of populist firebrand Geert Wilders secure the most votes, the Associated Press reported.
The deal however excludes Wilders from becoming prime minister.
The agreement follows months of coalition negotiations between Wilder’s Party of Freedom (PVV) and three others, including the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) that had governed the country for the past 13 years, and the pro-farmer party, Farmer Citizen Movement (BBB).
Together they hold a comfortable majority of 88 seats in the lower house of parliament.
The deal also comes two months after Wilders dropped his bid to become prime minister and toned down some of his more extreme policies, such as banning the Quran and closing Islamic schools and mosques, according to the BBC.
Although the content of the agreement remains unknown, it will include a strict migration policy, as well as new investments in social security, defense and agriculture.
One of the key points in the deal is that none of the four party leaders will become the country’s prime minister, prompting questions as to who will lead the country.
If the deal is approved, the new government will be comprised of political outsiders and a prime minister who is not a party leader, which observers said will create more distance between cabinet and parliament.
Even so, political analysts suggested the Wilders and the PVV will have significant influence in the ruling coalition.
The PVV won nearly a quarter of votes in the November polls, a victory that marked a rebuke to the Dutch political establishment and boosted the right-wing parties across the European Union – particularly as the bloc prepares for legislative elections next month.
Subscribe today and GlobalPost will be in your inbox the next weekday morning
Join us today and pay only $32.95 for an annual subscription, or less than $3 a month for our unique insights into crucial developments on the world stage. It’s by far the best investment you can make to expand your knowledge of the world.