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Deputy prime minister criticises Wilders' anti-Europe stand

Thursday 01 September 2011

Scrapping the euro and closing the Dutch borders, as called for by right-wing populist MP Geert Wilders, will lead to more unemployment in the Netherlands, deputy prime minister Maxime Verhagen says in an interview with website nu.nl.

Wilders' anti-Islam PVV has a formal alliance with the ruling minority coalition, made up of the VVD Liberals and Christian Democrats.

'What Wilders says sounds very reasonable - 'What do I get out of Europe and the euro? Throw all those countries out' - but you have to deal with the consequences,' Verhagen told the website.

'It would be very irresponsible if my policies led to one more person losing their job or one man or woman losing their savings or pension.'

The Dutch economy is based on exports and has earned its 'wages and pensions' in Europe for centuries, he said.

'Our open economy would immediately be negatively impacted by an anti-European policy.'

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Readers' comments

Hi
Deputy prime minister criticises Wilders' anti-Europe stand.
To misuse the adjective ideological, by side Mr. Wilder’s may be right on the Euro. Although the Dutch under Mr. Duisenberg were instrumental in the Euro introduction things have gone terribly wrong and contingency plans must be made to get out. Debt lands who are not (or will not) be in a position to pay back any loans may affect Holland.
Regards Dr. Terence Hale

By Terence Hale | September 1, 2011 9:39 AM

I think it is wrong to label Geert Wilders a right-wing populist. Modern politics is Nationalist Vs Globalist. The old lines of the left and the right are very blurred indeed.

By Phil | September 1, 2011 10:18 AM

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