The Netherlands set to get right-wing minority cabinet, with Wilders' support

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Nearly four months since the general election, the Netherlands is poised to have a minority right-wing government with the anti-Islam PVV as a silent partner.

On Tuesday night, the leaders of the three parties – the VVD, PVV and Christian Democrats ¬- said they had finalised a draft agreement which covers the main policy plans for the next four years.

‘I am very pleased with the result. An awful lot of people are going to be delighted,' VVD Mark Rutte was quoted as saying by Nos tv.

PVV leader Geert Wilders, who is due to appear in court on Monday charged with inciting hatred and discrimination, described the agreement as historic. The PVV will have 'an enormous amount of influence' as a silent partner, he said.

Details

Little has leaked out so far about the terms of the agreement but the parties said earlier they planned to cut government spending by €18bn.

The right-wing VVD, the Christian Democrats and anti-Islam PVV have been in talks since August 5.

They are working on two agreements. One is the basis for the formation of a minority government between the CDA and VVD. The other covers areas where the PVV will agree to support the government - or not cause it to collapse.

The coalition will have the support of 76 of the 150 MPs, a majority of just one.

CDA

On Wednesday, the three parties MPs will review the agreement. The terms of the deals will probably be made public on Thursday.

The CDA will hold its ratification congress in Arnhem on Saturday. A number of prominent CDA politicians are opposed to a link-up with the PVV and two sitting MPs are also against the deal. The alliance has already cost caretaker health minister Ab Klink his place in parliament.

If the CDA backs the deal, Mark Rutte will begin the process of finding ministers and putting the cabinet together.

Opposition

Labour leader Job Cohen, whose party won 30 seats in the June general election, said a right-wing minority cabinet would be the worst possible outcome for the Netherlands.

‘The PVV has far too much power and very little responsibility,’ Cohen said, referring to the way PVV leader has been involved in working out economic policy but will only support the government from the sidelines.

D66 leader Alexander Pechtold described the likely new government as an ‘unsavoury adventure’ with a minority cabinet propped up by a party which ‘discriminates and stigmatises’.

Wilders has vowed he will continue to pursue his anti-Islam campaign, despite his shadow role in government.

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© DutchNews.nl

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