The outgoing Dutch Prime Minister has ruled out a coalition with Geert Wilders’ party after the anti-EU leader famed for calling for Nexit won the Dutch election.
Mark Rutte has ruled out forming a government with the anti-Islam populist's Freedom party (PVV) as coalition negotiation talks begin.
PVV caused a political earthquake after winning more seats than any other party in the election, which took place last week.
Now, the leader of the country’s liberal party warned people not to be fooled by any “Mother Teresa” act by Wilders.
Coalition talks have started between the parties in the Netherlands
Reuters
The conservatives of Rutte’s People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), led by Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius indicated it might support Wilders on some votes in parliament.
The Dutch finance minister, Sigrid Kaag warned voters not to be fooled by Wilders’ pre-election attempt to come across as less extreme.
Kaag is standing down as leader of her liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party next summer.
She said: "He can pretend to be Mother Teresa, but he still has a very long way to go."
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Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius said her VVD party could “support constructive proposals”
Reuters
Wilders is the first choice in forming a coalition and has the potential to succeed Rutte as prime minister after winning the highest amount of seats.
However, his party cannot form a government alone and will have to convince potential coalition partners that he can rule the country.
Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius told the Dutch broadcaster NOS before the opening of coalition talks, that after 13 years of Rutte as prime minister and VVD’s loss of seats in the election “another role was appropriate” for the party.
She added, however, that her party could “support constructive proposals” in a Wilders coalition, indicating he could count on the party in some key votes.
Sigrid Kaag said Wilders "can pretend to be Mother Teresa"
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It comes after Wilders declared in the past that he would not support “Islamic schools, Qur’ans and mosques”.
Kaag said the apparent softening of his public position on migrant policies did not take away from 20 years of “accusations, demonising others, discrimination and the exclusion of population groups”.
On Friday, Wilders said he was “very disappointed” that the VVD did not want to participate in a new cabinet.
However, he said it was a “bright spot” that Yeşilgöz might support him on some key areas.
