DutchNews.nl - Wilders urges CDA to join coalition talks immediately

Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam party PVV has called on the Christian Democrats to immediately join talks between his party and the Liberals VVD on forming a new government.

The PVV increased its parliamentary seats from nine to 24 in last week's general election and hopes to form a coalition with the VVD and CDA.

'It is important that the CDA joins in and builds trust, rather than keep a watchful eye from the sidelines,' Wilders was quoted as saying by news agency ANP.

There is 'not much point' in just talking to the VVD without the CDA, Wilders said.

But new CDA leader Maxime Verhagen has already made it clear he believes the VVD and PVV should work out their differences before the CDA joins in.

Uri Rosenthal, the man charged by queen Beatrix with putting a coalition together met the leaders of all 10 parties represented in parliament for talks on Monday. As a first option, he is focusing on a right-wing coalition.

Verhagen told reporters after his talks with Rosenthal the CDA will continue to wait on the sidelines. Only when the VVD and PVV have managed to bridge the major gaps between them will it be time for the CDA to join in, Verhagen said.

The VVD Liberals won the most seats in last Wednesday's general election but the PVV, which wants an end to immigration from Muslim countries and a tax on the wearing of Islamic headscarves, booked the biggest increase in seats. The CDA lost almost half it seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.

VVD leader Mark Rutte said after his meeting with Rosenthal that there are 'complicated aspects' to a coalition with the PVV but that it is 'not impossible'.

Wilders, who dropped his opposition to an increase in the state pension before the negotiations even began, again emphasised that the PVV is stable and 'you can do good business with us'. A coalition with the PVV will deliver 'something fantastic', he said.

Discrimination

Nevetheless, a number of promiment Liberal and CDA members have spoken out against a cabinet with the PVV, whose leader faces court proceedings for racial and religious discrimination.

Meanwhile, Alexander Pechtold, leader of the Liberal democratic party D66, called on the VVD not to join forces with Wilders.He accused the PVV leader of developing a policy of 'violence and discrimination against a large group of people' in the Netherlands over the past five years.

OK.New faces, new government, new policies, new promises. We already saw it before. President Obama have promised to close Guantanamo Bay prison. I wonder, will new administration in the Netherlands take any actions and release similar hostages that old regime quietly holds in Apeldoorn ?

By Igor Skrijevski | June 15, 2010 9:26 AM

Wilders would be very beneficial to any government. He's a great man and a superb leader with good policies

By lucky | June 15, 2010 2:31 PM

Any politician thinking that a coalition with the PVV is kidding him or herself. Instead of getting a sound Government, the Netherlands will get a Government that will be an international laughing stock. One might wonder as to when Wilders will say "Come back Rita Verdonk, all is forgiven".

By Henk Luf | June 15, 2010 6:12 PM