Plan for Dutch coalition backed by Wilders' party sparks concerns

Source: Earth Times

The prospect of a new centre-right Dutch minority government backed by the votes of Geert Wilders' right-wing populist party sparked soul-searching in the Netherlands Wednesday - even before formal coalition negotiations got under way. A government featuring the Christian Democratic Appeal and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy could hold a slim majority with 76 of 150 parliamentary seats, if they are supported by Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV). But the PVV would not be a part of the new government.

Lubbers noted on Friday that the leftist and Green parties have declined to participate in the government. But the leader of the Labour Party, Job Cohen, accused Lubbers of not having explored all of the options. The leader of the Socialist Party, Emile Roemer, also called on the centre-right parties to abandon the plan.

Before the June 9 parliamentary elections, Wilders had called for mosques to be closed and a headscarf tax to be implemented, among other things.

Verhagen rejected accusations that he has betrayed the Christian Democratic principles of tolerance and religious freedom. "Exactly because the PVV does not conform to our constitutional stipulations, it will not be involved in the government," said Verhagen, who currently serves as the country's foreign minister.

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