All posts tagged: Geert Wilders

Who votes for the European far right? And why? – POLITICO

Who votes for the European far right? And why? – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

As recent national elections in several European countries have shown, far-right voters no longer fit the stereotype of the angry, old white man, but now often include women, young people and even migrants. In this episode we unpack what drives voters to abandon the mainstream and more traditional party loyalties for the far right, and how poverty, or fear of it, motivates typical supporters of the AfD in Germany, Geert Wilder’s PVV in the Netherlands, or Chega in Portugal. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO reporters Hanne Cokelaere, James Angelos and Aitor Hernandez-Morales, who were recently dispatched to countries where far-right parties are gaining ground ahead of June’s European election. Later on we have a fascinating conversation with Catherine de Vries, professor of political science and dean of international affairs at Bocconi University in Milan. Her research focuses on how economic hardship and problems with public services such as schools, health care or transport can fuel the far right. Further reading: Germany’s far-right believers blame spy claims on ‘witch hunt’ by James Angelos Portugal’s …

After Geert Wilders gives up, what’s next for the Netherlands? – POLITICO

After Geert Wilders gives up, what’s next for the Netherlands? – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Since then, he has been holding exploratory coalition talks with the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which is the party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as well as the centrist NSC party and the populist agrarian Farmer Citizen Movement (BBB).  It became clear, however, that the biggest obstacle to a coalition deal was the prospect of Wilders himself becoming Dutch prime minister. Kim Putters, the intermediary who has been facilitating coalition negotiations, presented his final report on Thursday, suggesting an extra-parliamentary cabinet in which experts and figures from outside parliament and even beyond politics would be chosen to run the country.   Wilders said on Thursday that it was “unfair” and “constitutionally incorrect” that he will not become prime minister. Speaking to journalists, he said that as the leader of the largest parties he had told the leaders of the other parties that “it should be me.” He added, however, that he did not get enough support from parties during the coalition talks to be able to lead his country. Instead, …

Dutch far-right firebrand Wilders says he won’t be prime minister despite election win

Dutch far-right firebrand Wilders says he won’t be prime minister despite election win

Published by Sam

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders said Wednesday that he would not be prime minister despite his stunning election win in November, due to a lack of support across the political spectrum. Issued on: 14/03/2024 – 01:18 2 min “I can only become Prime Minister if ALL parties in the coalition support it. That was not the case,” Wilders said on X. “The love for my country and voters is bigger and more important than my own position.” The announcement came on the eve of an eagerly awaited report on Dutch coalition talks, amid speculation of a breakthrough that could result in a technocratic government. The man overseeing the negotiations, Kim Putters, has said the bickering parties were ready to take the “next step” after two days of “good and intense” talks at a country estate. Wilders posted on X that he wanted a “right-wing cabinet… less asylum and immigration. The Dutch come first.” Party leaders have been tight-lipped during the process but public broadcaster NOS reported that the most likely outcome for Thursday’s report was …

Geert Wilders leadership hopes sink as coalition talks collapse

Geert Wilders leadership hopes sink as coalition talks collapse

Published by skeptic

Leader of the Netherlands’ Party for Freedom (PVV), Geert Wilders. Anadolu | Getty Images LONDON — Far-right Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders’ hopes of becoming prime minister of the Netherlands are dwindling after coalition talks fell into disarray Tuesday. Pieter Omtzigt, founder and leader of the upstart center-right New Social Contract (NSC), walked away from negotiations, vexing Wilders’ efforts to assemble a working alliance for his Party for Freedom (PVV) following its shock victory in the Netherlands’ November general election. Wilders took to social media Tuesday evening to berate Omtzigt’s withdrawal, calling the decision “incredibly disappointing.” “The Netherlands wants this cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in discussions until today. I don’t understand it at all,” Wilders wrote in a post on X, according to a Google translation. Dutch media reported that Omtzigt, whose party won 20 seats in November on a campaign of “good governance” and “doing politics differently,” had been shocked by confidential Cabinet briefings on the state of public finances. In a letter posted to X, …

Dutch coalition talks close to collapse after key party pulls out

Dutch coalition talks close to collapse after key party pulls out

Published by Sam

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders’s hopes of forming a majority government were in tatters on Tuesday as a key negotiating party abruptly withdrew over a row about public finances. Issued on: 07/02/2024 – 04:06 3 min The New Social Contract (NSC) of anti-corruption champion Pieter Omtzigt announced it was “finished” with this round of coalition talks, making it impossible as it stands for Wilders to hold a majority. The NSC said it would remain “constructive” in talks over forming a government but appeared to rule out serving in a majority cabinet with Wilders. “It could be a constructive support for a minority cabinet for example,” said the NSC in a letter. Wilders stunned the Netherlands and Europe by storming to victory in November’s election with an anti-Islam, climate-change-denying manifesto that would ban mosques and the Koran. But elections in the fragmented Dutch system usually usher in months of haggling over a coalition government. Wilders has opened talks with three other parties but without the NSC and its 20 seats in the 150-seat parliament, he has …

Geert Wilders left stranded as Dutch coalition talks collapse – POLITICO

Geert Wilders left stranded as Dutch coalition talks collapse – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Omtzigt’s support was key to securing backing for a center-right majority government with four parties, including Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV). Wilders’ party, led by the far-right firebrand who was previously considered politically toxic in the Netherlands given his hard-line views on immigration and Islam, landed a stunning victory in last November’s elections. Negotiator Ronald Plasterk, who has been leading the coalition talks, in comments to Dutch media defended himself against accusations from Omtzigt that he withheld information “about the state of government finances” from different ministries for at least several days. Plasterk called Omtzigt’s story “muddled” and said he’d extended an invitation for the four to meet Wednesday evening to clear the air. But Omtzigt refused the invitation, public broadcaster NOS reported. Dilan Yeşilgöz, the leader of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), said she was “very surprised” by the news of Omtzigt’s exit. “We were in the middle of constructive conversations, including today. Hope we can sit down soon to hear what exactly is going on here,” Yeşilgöz …

This time, the far-right threat is real – POLITICO

This time, the far-right threat is real – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

In 2024, the right wing surge in the polls seems bigger and bolder, with one predicting the nationalist right and far right could pick up nearly a quarter of seats in the European Parliament in June. Even if the center-right — currently tipped to come first in the election — refuses to form a governing coalition with ever more powerful firebrand fringe parties, there’s still a significant chance the far-right will, for the first time, be able to influence Europe’s policy agenda. That will enable it to threaten the EU’s sacred values on rule of law and human rights, and block or even overturn major green and climate laws. “We’re going to see a really significant shift to the right,” said Simon Hix, a professor of comparative politics at the European University Institute, referring to the June elections when 400 million people across the European Union are eligible to vote to send 720 representatives to Brussels. Hix forecast the far-right Identity & Democracy (ID) grouping in the European Parliament, the sixth largest of seven, will …

How the far right aims to ride farmers’ outrage to power in Europe – POLITICO

How the far right aims to ride farmers’ outrage to power in Europe – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

“Farmers’ anger has become a major issue for the far right across Europe,” said Kevin Cunningham, a political scientist who has studied the surge in support for the far right for the European Council on Foreign Relations. “It may not be the number one issue, it is surprisingly effective at crystalizing resentment over economic problems.” As campaigning for the European election in June kicks off, polls suggest the farmer-populist tie-up is helping to supercharge the appeal of far-right parties among the bloc’s nearly nine million farmers. The referendum against governments eschewing local production for cheaper imports from Ukraine and spikes in diesel taxes both coupled with inflation means growing discontent  among farmers  is spreading across the Continent. On Wednesday, a survey carried out by the European Council on Foreign Relations showed far-right parties placing first in nine EU countries and significantly expanding their number of seats in the European Parliament. That chimes with POLITICO’s Poll of Polls, which shows the right-wing Identity and Democracy group gaining seats to become the third largest political group in …

Geert Wilders has a serious problem – POLITICO

Geert Wilders has a serious problem – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Wait. What’s that last word? Sounds like something straight out of the Spanish Inquisition … In Dutch politics, the informateur — or negotiator — takes the lead in bringing parties together to explore the possibility of forming a coalition. As the big winner, Wilders chose a member of his own party, the senator Gom van Strien, to lead the talks. But van Strien resigned before he ever started, over concerns that fraud allegations against him that had resurfaced would pose a distraction. (They did.) Wilders then turned to Ronald Plasterk, a former education minister who has in recent years drifted away from his Labor Party roots and become a right-wing columnist. So, all strapped in for a direct flight to right-wing paradise/dystopia?  Not quite. It’s one thing to want a seat at the negotiating table; but quite another to get into bed with Wilders — who, until this election, was considered politically toxic. Coalition scout Ronald Plasterk replaced senator Gom van Strien, who resigned before leading any coalition talks | Koen Van Weel/EPA-EFE Unsurprisingly, there have …

A quiet Dutch village holds clues as European politics veer to the right

A quiet Dutch village holds clues as European politics veer to the right

Published by skeptic

SINT WILLEBRORD, The Netherlands (AP) — “Everyone is welcome,” reads the sign at the church door in this quiet Dutch village, where neighbors greet each other from tidy porches overlooking manicured lawns. But that declaration of tolerance seems oddly out of place. Triggered by economic and cultural anxieties that have whipped up fears about immigrants, people here and throughout the Netherlands have veered far to the right politically. It’s an extreme example of a trend being felt across the continent that could tilt the outcome of this year’s European Union parliamentary election. In Sint Willebrord, which has few immigrants among its 9,300 residents, almost three out of four voters chose a virulently anti-migrant, anti-Muslim party in an election last year that shattered the Netherlands’ image as a welcoming, moderate country. A man walks near a grotto at the church of Sint Willesbrord, Netherlands on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, answers questions to the media after announcement of the first preliminary results of …