The Netherlands' largest centre-right party has ruled out forming another coalition with Geert Wilders, with its leader describing the far-right politician as an 'unbelievably untrustworthy partner'. Dilan Yeşilgöz of the VVD made the announcement late on Monday, dealing a significant blow to Wilders' hopes of returning to power after snap elections scheduled for 29 October.
Yeşilgöz told RTL TV that Wilders 'takes no responsibility whatsoever' and 'runs away when things get difficult'. She added that Wilders is 'only interested in Geert Wilders'. In a separate interview with the Telegraaf, she said the Netherlands deserves 'adult leadership' and that the VVD would not work with him again.
Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) had won a shock victory in November 2023, leading after months of negotiations to a coalition with the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), New Social Contract (NSC) and the VVD, sworn in last July. However, Wilders pulled his ministers out of the pact last week after the other parties refused to approve his 10-point plan to reduce immigration, which included turning back all asylum seekers and closing refugee hostels.
Recent polling indicates that the PVV has lost support and is now level with the VVD and the Green-Labour alliance. Yeşilgöz confirmed that the VVD would also not consider a confidence-and-supply deal with Wilders, citing an 'enormous gulf' between the VVD's policies and those of the Green/Labour alliance.
Political analysts predict that the next government will likely be either a VVD-led centre-right coalition or a centre-left arrangement led by the Green-Labour alliance. Despite possible electoral gains for the PVV, every major political formation has now ruled out working with Wilders, making his path to power highly improbable.
