Dutch anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders abandons PM bid
Geet Wilders, the Dutch populist leader, 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.
His Freedom Party (PVV) won the most votes last year – but needed support of other parties to form a coalition.
Talks with three other parties over the shape of a new government are ongoing.
The negotiator leading the latest round of talks, which concluded on Tuesday, is due to share his report with parliament on Thursday.