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2023-11-25 Europe
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Islamic and eco groups say they fear for the Netherlands' future as Geert Wilders begins trying to build a coalition after shock election success - while his potential partners say Nexit must be off the table
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[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] The Dutch muslim community and political leaders say they fear for the future following anti-Islam Geert Wilder's shock election result.
Dutch party leaders met on Friday to begin the lengthy and difficult process of building a coalition.
The populist and anti-Islam Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) won 37 seats out of 150 on Wednesday, which was well ahead of 25 for a joint Labour/Green ticket and 24 for the conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The result, which more than doubled his party's previous share, puts Wilders, who is described as the 'Dutch Trump', in a favourable position for upcoming coalition talks as he will have the first go at trying to build a coalition.
But eurosceptic Wilders, who is an advocate for so-called 'Nexit', has already been told by other party leaders that Dutch membership of the European Union is 'non-negotiable'.
While Wilders still faces an uphill battle to form a government and become the next Netherlands leader, his surprise success is the latest in a string of recent political upsets that have seen right-wing populist parties taking significant strides across Europe.
But he has alienated almost all of the other political parties in the Netherlands with his harsh rhetoric.
Wilders' election win led to protests in several cities with Muslim organisations saying they were worried about their treatment under a possible PVV government.
Muhsin Köktas of the Contact Body for Muslims and Government said: 'These election results are shocking for Dutch Muslims.
'We did not expect such a party with a programme that is against the basic principles of the rule of law to be so big.'
Wilders has been a long outspoken critic of Islam, which he describes as a fascist ideology of a 'retarded culture' and a 'backward religion'.
The firebrand politician has also likened the Koran to Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf', saying both books should be banned.
He has been under police protection and in 2016 he was convicted of discrimination after calling Moroccans 'scum' at a campaign rally.
Meanwhile, green groups including Greenpeace said they were worried he would gut environmental policies.
But Wilders cannot govern alone and will need to convince at least two or three parties to join him, with VVD and New Social Contract (NSC), a centrist upstart party, the most likely candidates.
They are both largely pro-EU and have both made clear membership is not up for debate, nor is respect for religious freedom and the rule of law, to join in what would be the Netherlands' first far-right-led government.
'As far as I can see, I dare to say this is not going to be the easiest formation we've ever had,' NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt said, adding that remarks he made on election night had been wrongly interpreted as a guarantee he was willing to join a coalition under Wilders.
The Dutch are no strangers to long talks to build a coalition as last time, it took a record-breaking 299 days.
Should Wilders' efforts eventually fail, other parties could try to build a more centrist coalition without him.
New elections are the final option if no coalition deal can be reached.
Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz, Rutte's successor at the helm of the VVD, made it clear that she wouldn't rush.
Among smaller parties, the Farmer-Citizen Movement (Boer Burger Beweging BBB) said it would be willing to govern with Wilders. Its seven seats in the lower house of parliament wouldn't be needed for a majority there, but it holds a large number of seats in the Senate, which has the power to block legislation. 
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Posted by Skidmark 2023-11-25 08:50||
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