DutchNews.nl - Political opponents, academics say PVV influence will be great

A minority VVD CDA cabinet supported by the PVV will give the anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders a lot of influence on government policy, academics and politicians say in Saturday's NRC.

The three party leaders are expected to start talks next week on drawing up right-wing policy which the PVV will support from outside government.

Wilders has already said he will continue to speak his mind about Islam and expects tough policy on integration, immigration and public safety in return for his backing.

Wim Voermans, professor of constitutional law at the University of Leiden said the PVV has everything to gain with a minority cabinet. 'Wilders wins a lot of time. He lets it be seen that he wants to take responsibility for government,' Voermans told the NRC. 'But he can always walk away and say 'they really don't want me. I have done everything I could.'

And politicial scientist Marcel Boogers said the VVD and CDA will be very dependent on the PVV which will have a disproportionate influence on the cabinet. 'Wilders does not have to supply any ministers and get his hands dirty but he can hold hostage and blackmail the VVD and CDA,' Boogers said.

A minority VVD and CDA cabinet which looks for support from different parties depending on the policy would be a preferable option, he said.

Power

MPs are concerned as well. 'Wilders will not be in the cabinet, but he will be the real prime minister,' said Labour MP Sharon Dijksma.

'Wilders has got Verhagen and Rutte on a lead. He doesn't carry the risk of the talks collapsing but has all the power,' said Boris van Ham of the D66 Liberal party.

André Rouvoet, deputy prime minister in the outgoing government and leader of the orthodox ChristenUnie, was blunt. 'If Wilders' preference really is for a minority government, that would seem to me to be every reason not to do it,' he told the paper.

Sad news for Netherlands, I hope Netherland will come out soon from this big disaster which is knocking the door of Netherland.. Good wishes

By Meh | July 31, 2010 10:14 AM

I have never supported the idea of going back to the people and have a second election. I am now willing to consider that.

It is beyond imagination that people have forgotten the results of including Jorg Haider into government in Austria and most certainly that country is still attempting to wipe the ugly smell it aquired.

Donny vdH
Rotterdam

By DvdH | July 31, 2010 2:41 PM

Please tell me it isn't so. The Netherlands should never be influenced by someone "who is not one of us". What happened to the rational and pragmatic Dutch? The world is watching...

By don | July 31, 2010 3:52 PM

This is great: once Wilders gets rid of Islam, he can start on Christianity, a far greater evil.

By Abba | July 31, 2010 6:24 PM

Great News for Holland! There is a reason why CDA lost so many seats while VVD and PVV gained seats. Hopefully this government can make will changes that will benefit Holland instead of welfare seekers who are sucking the country dry.

By Yea | August 1, 2010 2:56 AM

It is frustrating and depressing to see that the very people to whom we entrust the governing of our country (albeit adopted)seem to lack any foresight and have learned so little from the lessons of history. No government policy based, even in part, on racial, religious or ethnic discrimination has ever, repeat EVER, resulted in progress or harmony. We are led to believe that Netherland is a christian country but since when did such intolerance become part of the christian ethic or is hypocracy now the credo of Dutch politics ?

By Terence Gehr | August 1, 2010 1:53 PM

Politics and religion really don't mix so why are the majority of Dutch parties based on Religion? It is a real mix for total disaster, surely if the people wanted the church to run the country they would get the Pope in to do so! I say keep religion in the churchs and politics in the 2nd chamber.

By Andy | August 2, 2010 4:21 PM