Far-Right Dutch Leader Geert Wilders Backs Out Of PM Race Despite Party's Thumping Victory

Geert Wilders said he could become prime minister if he gets the support of all the coalition parties.

Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders has backed out of PM race

Source : Getty

Far-right Dutch populist leader Geert Wilders, whose party won a dramatic victory in the 2023 elections, has backed out from the race to be the Netherlands' next prime minister, reported BBC. 

"I can only become prime minister if ALL parties in the coalition support it. That was not the case," Wilders said in a post on social media X. 

His Freedom Party (PVV) won the majority votes last year but needed support from other parties to form a coalition, and talks with three other parties are ongoing over the shape of a new government. 

The latest rounds of talks concluded on Tuesday and the negotiator leading the talks is due to share his report with parliament on Thursday. 

"I would like a right-wing cabinet. Less asylum and immigration. Dutch on 1. The love for my country and voter is great and more important than my position," Wilders said in his social media post. 

The 60-year-old Dutch politician has been a member of Parliament for 25 years and started his political journey as a member of Mark Rutte's party.

He later left the party to serve as an independent lawmakers and formed the Freedom Party in 2006. 

His campaign during the last year largely revolved around holding a referendum to leave the European Union, dubbed "Nexit". He also advocated for a total halt to accepting asylum-seekers. 

Known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric calling for a ban on mosques, the Quran, and Islamic headscarves in government buildings in his party's manifesto, Wilders softened his anti-Islamic rhetoric in the run-up to the vote. 

He had also backed Nupur Sharma who was suspended from the Bharatiya Janata Party for her controversial remark against Prophet Muhammad.