Latest news with #VVD
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Dutch VVD rules out coalition with ‘unbelievably untrustworthy' Wilders
The Netherlands' biggest centre-right party has ruled out forming another coalition government with Geert Wilders as its leader called him 'an unbelievably untrustworthy partner' and a 'quitter' who 'puts his own interests above those of the country'. In a significant blow to the far-right firebrand's hopes of returning to power, Dilan Yeşilgöz leader of the VVD, said late on Monday that her party would not enter another government with Wilders after elections, due on 29 October. The anti-Islam politician, who last week pulled the plug on the country's four-party coalition in a row over immigration and asylum policy, 'takes no responsibility whatsoever', Yeşilgöz told RTL TV. 'He has shown that he simply runs away when things get difficult. That's tough for voters, and for the country. Geert Wilders is only interested in Geert Wilders,' she said. In a separate interview with the Telegraaf newspaper, Yeşilgöz said Wilders was 'an unbelievably untrustworthy partner' and that the Netherlands deserved 'adult leadership'. She added: 'We are not going to work with him again.' Yeşilgöz announcement means Wilders is unlikely to be able to be part of a new coalition even if his far-right Freedom party (PVV) finishes first in the elections, since every major political formation has now ruled out working with him. The PVV's shock victory in elections in November 2023 led, after months of fraught talks, to a coalition with the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), centrist New Social Contract (NSC) and liberal-conservative VVD that was sworn in last July. Wilders said last week he was pulling his party's ministers out of the pact after the other three partners refused to sign off on his 10-point plan to reduce immigration, which included turning back all asylum seekers and closing refugee hostels. Polling suggests the PVV has lost support and is now level with the VVD and Green-Labour alliance. Yeşilgöz said her party, which led the Netherlands's four previous governments, would also not consider a confidence-and-supply deal with Wilders. 'In fact, from day one he was someone who couldn't do it and didn't want to do it,' said the VVD leader, whose willingness to work with Wilders before the last election was widely credited with boosting the PVV's vote. 'It all just goes nowhere.' Yeşilgöz said there was still an 'enormous gulf' between the VVD's policies and those of the Green/Labour alliance (GL/PvdA). Most analysts predict either a VVD-led centre-right coalition or a centre-left arrangement headed by GL/PvdA.
France 24
4 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Wilders isolated as Dutch election sniping starts
Wilders stunned the political establishment in the Netherlands last week by bringing down a fragile four-way governing coalition in a row over immigration. Fresh elections are now set for October 29. Wilders is hoping to repeat his shock success from November 2023, when his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) came out on top. But the fragmented nature of Dutch politics means parties need to find two or even three coalition partners to form a government. Wilders's largest coalition partner after the November vote was the liberal VVD but party leader Dilan Yesilgoz launched a fierce broadside against her former colleague. "This country needs mature leadership. We will no longer work with him," Yesilgoz said in an interview with De Telegraaf daily. "He puts his personal self-interest above the national interest. He will never take responsibility for the country," added Yesilgoz. Latest opinion polls suggest a close three-way race between the PVV, the VVD and a Green/Left grouping led by former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans. Wilders lashed out on X saying that Yesilgoz "wanted to destroy the Netherlands, along with the left". "That means even more asylum seekers and Islam," he claimed. De Telegraaf wrote: "Now that the VVD is also slamming shut the door, a government with Wilders's party is moving further out of sight." "Looking at the current polls, there are too few parties available to form a majority cabinet that have not previously declared the PVV taboo." 'Squandered his chance' Wilders abruptly pulled his PVV out of the coalition on Wednesday, saying the government was too slow to enact the "strictest-ever" asylum policy that was agreed after the elections. He came up with his own 10-point plan, which included closing borders to asylum seekers, and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. A crisis meeting between the leaders of the four parties broke up in acrimony after just minutes, as Wilders pulled the plug. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet could be formed. The government collapse sparked political chaos in the European Union's fifth-largest economy. It came as the Netherlands prepares to host a summit of NATO leaders later this month. Yesilgoz noted that Wilders had done something similar before, when he pulled out of a deal with then prime minister Mark Rutte in 2012 over austerity measures. "In 2012, he walked out, while our country needed stability and leadership amid an economic crisis. "Thirteen years later, little has changed," she wrote to VVD members. "It is still his style to walk out like a coward." "As far as I am concerned, Geert Wilders has excluded himself from government. He has once again squandered his chance and once again let his voters down," Yesilgoz added. However, she hit back at suggestions that shunning Wilders meant joining forces with Timmermans and his left-wing grouping. "The commitment of the left is miles away from what the Netherlands needs now. The VVD envisions a completely different Netherlands," she said.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wilders isolated as Dutch election sniping starts
The chances of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders becoming prime minister dropped on Tuesday after a key potential coalition party ruled out working with him, calling him an "incredibly unreliable partner". Wilders stunned the political establishment in the Netherlands last week by bringing down a fragile four-way governing coalition in a row over immigration. Fresh elections are now set for October 29. Wilders is hoping to repeat his shock success from November 2023, when his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) came out on top. But the fragmented nature of Dutch politics means parties need to find two or even three coalition partners to form a government. Wilders's largest coalition partner after the November vote was the liberal VVD but party leader Dilan Yesilgoz launched a fierce broadside against her former colleague. "This country needs mature leadership. We will no longer work with him," Yesilgoz said in an interview with De Telegraaf daily. "He puts his personal self-interest above the national interest. He will never take responsibility for the country," added Yesilgoz. Latest opinion polls suggest a close three-way race between the PVV, the VVD and a Green/Left grouping led by former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans. Wilders lashed out on X saying that Yesilgoz "wanted to destroy the Netherlands, along with the left". "That means even more asylum seekers and Islam," he claimed. De Telegraaf wrote: "Now that the VVD is also slamming shut the door, a government with Wilders's party is moving further out of sight." "Looking at the current polls, there are too few parties available to form a majority cabinet that have not previously declared the PVV taboo." - 'Squandered his chance' - Wilders abruptly pulled his PVV out of the coalition on Wednesday, saying the government was too slow to enact the "strictest-ever" asylum policy that was agreed after the elections. He came up with his own 10-point plan, which included closing borders to asylum seekers, and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. A crisis meeting between the leaders of the four parties broke up in acrimony after just minutes, as Wilders pulled the plug. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet could be formed. The government collapse sparked political chaos in the European Union's fifth-largest economy. It came as the Netherlands prepares to host a summit of NATO leaders later this month. Yesilgoz noted that Wilders had done something similar before, when he pulled out of a deal with then prime minister Mark Rutte in 2012 over austerity measures. "In 2012, he walked out, while our country needed stability and leadership amid an economic crisis. "Thirteen years later, little has changed," she wrote to VVD members. "It is still his style to walk out like a coward." "As far as I am concerned, Geert Wilders has excluded himself from government. He has once again squandered his chance and once again let his voters down," Yesilgoz added. However, she hit back at suggestions that shunning Wilders meant joining forces with Timmermans and his left-wing grouping. "The commitment of the left is miles away from what the Netherlands needs now. The VVD envisions a completely different Netherlands," she said. ric/gil
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Wilders isolated as Dutch election sniping starts
Wilders isolated as Dutch election sniping starts (Image: AP) The chances of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders becoming prime minister dropped on Tuesday after a key potential coalition party ruled out working with him, calling him an "incredibly unreliable partner". Wilders stunned the political establishment in the Netherlands last week by bringing down a fragile four-way governing coalition in a row over immigration. Fresh elections are now set for October 29. Wilders is hoping to repeat his shock success from November 2023, when his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) came out on top. But the fragmented nature of Dutch politics means parties need to find two or even three coalition partners to form a government. Wilders's largest coalition partner after the November vote was the liberal VVD but party leader Dilan Yesilgoz launched a fierce broadside against her former colleague. "This country needs mature leadership. We will no longer work with him," Yesilgoz said in an interview with De Telegraaf daily. "He puts his personal self-interest above the national interest. He will never take responsibility for the country," added Yesilgoz. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Latest opinion polls suggest a close three-way race between the PVV, the VVD and a Green/Left grouping led by former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans. Wilders lashed out on X saying that Yesilgoz "wanted to destroy the Netherlands, along with the left". "That means even more asylum seekers and Islam," he claimed. De Telegraaf wrote: "Now that the VVD is also slamming shut the door, a government with Wilders's party is moving further out of sight." "Looking at the current polls, there are too few parties available to form a majority cabinet that have not previously declared the PVV taboo." - 'Squandered his chance' - Wilders abruptly pulled his PVV out of the coalition on Wednesday, saying the government was too slow to enact the "strictest-ever" asylum policy that was agreed after the elections. He came up with his own 10-point plan, which included closing borders to asylum seekers, and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. A crisis meeting between the leaders of the four parties broke up in acrimony after just minutes, as Wilders pulled the plug. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet could be formed. The government collapse sparked political chaos in the European Union's fifth-largest economy. It came as the Netherlands prepares to host a summit of Nato leaders later this month. Yesilgoz noted that Wilders had done something similar before, when he pulled out of a deal with then prime minister Mark Rutte in 2012 over austerity measures. "In 2012, he walked out, while our country needed stability and leadership amid an economic crisis. "Thirteen years later, little has changed," she wrote to VVD members. "It is still his style to walk out like a coward." "As far as I am concerned, Geert Wilders has excluded himself from government. He has once again squandered his chance and once again let his voters down," Yesilgoz added. However, she hit back at suggestions that shunning Wilders meant joining forces with Timmermans and his left-wing grouping. "The commitment of the left is miles away from what the Netherlands needs now. The VVD envisions a completely different Netherlands," she said.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
"We'll Do It Ourselves!" Dutch Vigilantes Stop Cars At German Border In Protest Over Illegal Migration
A group of Dutch citizens staged an unauthorized border control operation this weekend between Ter Apel and the German village of Rütenbrock, citing frustration with what they describe as uncontrolled illegal immigration. Wearing reflective clothing and wielding torches, the group of around 12 men began stopping vehicles on Saturday evening along the N366, a key route between Germany and the Netherlands. The vigilantes, who pulled cars over and even inspected trunks, say they took action because authorities are failing to secure the border and stem the flow of asylum seekers entering the country. 'Nothing is happening. Then we'll do it ourselves,' said one activist, as cited by Algemeen Dagblad. The action, although brief, drew sharp criticism from police and government officials. The municipality of Westerwolde and Dutch police released a joint statement declaring that 'citizens are forbidden to stop cars' and that such actions 'create enormously dangerous situations' and are 'really unacceptable.' The vigilantes are believed to have violated road traffic laws, though it is unclear whether any formal charges will be brought. 🇳🇱‼️ Dutch vigilantes fed up with illegal immigration set up their own border controls with Germany this weekend, between Ter Apel and Rü Wilders, the PVV leader who just collapsed the Dutch government over asylum red lines, called it a "fantastic initiative." — Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 8, 2025 One vehicle stopped by the group turned out to be a German police van. The officers promptly ordered the group to leave German soil, threatening to tow their vehicles if they did not comply. The activists relocated their checkpoint to a parking lot on the Dutch side of the border and continued stopping traffic from Germany. The group, reportedly organized via Facebook, primarily includes residents from the municipality of Westerwolde. Outgoing Justice and Migration Minister David van Weel, of the center-right VVD, responded by urging the group to stop. 'I understand the frustration, but I really call on this group not to do this,' he said. 'Let the police and military police do their job and abide by the law.' Van Weel acknowledged the Netherlands 'cannot handle the current influx,' but insisted that border enforcement must remain the responsibility of the authorities. Mayor Jaap Velema of Westerwolde expressed sympathy for the frustrations, citing 'the lack of solutions to the crisis in asylum reception,' but warned: 'This is not the way to express frustrations. We can't all drive through red lights either.' Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration PVV party, praised the citizens' actions on X, calling it a 'fantastic initiative' and adding, 'If [Prime Minister] Schoof and the VVD do not immediately deploy the army en masse for this, we will have to do it ourselves! I would like to participate next time!' Fantastisch overal aan de grens moeten gebeuren. Als Schoof en de VVD het leger niet meteen massaal hiervoor inzetten, moeten we het zelf maar doen!Ik wil de volgende keer graag meedoen!#asielstop #PVVOP1 #PVV — Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) June 8, 2025 Wilders has been vocal about tightening the Dutch asylum regime. His party recently withdrew from the governing coalition after other parties refused to adopt his 10-point plan for what he called 'the strictest asylum policy ever.' The cabinet's collapse triggered early elections, which are scheduled to take place on Oct. 29, 2025. Van Weel reiterated the government's focus on 'stricter asylum laws and better border control.' Wilders, however, responded by accusing him of inaction. 'Weakling. You don't do anything at all. You could have had the army guard the borders now and sent away all asylum seekers on the basis of Article 72 TFEU, just like the Germans do,' he posted on social media. 'If people are frustrated, it is because the VVD is completely failing.' Ter Apel is the home of the Netherlands' largest asylum reception center, where officially around 2,000 asylum seekers are currently housed. In March, residents of Nieuw-Weerdinge, a Dutch town between Ter Apel and the nearest city of Emmen, launched a fundraiser in support of a 51-year-old local man convicted of assaulting an Algerian asylum seeker during an attempted citizen's arrest. He was found to have confronted an Algerian national from the reception center for allegedly stealing €40 from a delivery van. The town has established its own neighborhood watch app used by concerned residents to ensure anyone acting suspiciously in the area is identified after a surge in crime.
