Current:Home > reviewsA new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago -Excel Wealth Summit
A new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago
View
Date:2025-04-22 02:36:08
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A new lower house of the Dutch parliament was sworn in Wednesday, two weeks after the far-right party of lawmaker Geert Wilders won a general election in a seismic shift that reverberated through Europe.
While the newly configured Second Chamber is now installed, talks to form a new ruling coalition remain at an early stage, with a “scout” still talking to leaders about possible combinations to succeed the last four-party administration led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The scout is expected to send a report to parliament before a debate, likely next week, on the next step in the coalition formation process.
Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest serving premier, will remain in office until a new coalition is formed and sworn in. Talks to form Rutte’s final coalition took some nine months, a record.
Wilders’ anti-Islam, anti-immigration Party for Freedom won 37 seats in the 150-seat Second Chamber of Parliament in the Nov. 22 election, putting him in pole position to succeed Rutte. But at least two potential coalition partners are balking at some of his policy pledges that they consider unconstitutional.
The New Social Contract of former Christian Democrat lawmaker Pieter Omtzigt has 20 seats in the new parliament, but is so far reluctant to commit to joining Wilders in a coalition.
Among Wilders’ campaign pledges is for “No Islamic schools, Qurans and mosques” in the country, though his manifesto doesn’t outline how he would achieve that goal. The Dutch Constitution guarantees rights, including freedom of religion.
Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, the new leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy long led by Rutte, has said she doesn’t want her party to join a coalition with Wilders, but has pledged to support a center-right coalition in parliament.
The new parliament is made up of 15 different parties and includes 67 lawmakers with no experience in the national legislature.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Ahead of $1.23 billion jackpot drawing, which states have the most lottery winners?
- Seth Meyers, Mike Birbiglia talk 'Good One' terror, surviving joke bombs, courting villainy
- King Charles opens Balmoral Castle to the public for the first time amid cancer battle
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Iowa-UConn women’s Final Four match was most-watched hoops game in ESPN history; 14.2M avg. viewers
- Earthquakes happen all over the US, here's why they're different in the East
- South Carolina women stay perfect, defeat N.C. State 78-59 to reach NCAA title game
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- What to know for WrestleMania 40 Night 2: Time, how to watch, match card and more
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Transform Your Home With Kandi Burruss-Approved Spring Cleaning Must-Haves for Just $4
- Body of third construction worker recovered from Key Bridge wreckage in Baltimore
- The Steadily Rising Digital Currency Trading Platform: ALAIcoin
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Shane Bieber: Elbow surgery. Spencer Strider: Damaged UCL. MLB's Tommy John scourge endures
- First an earthquake, now an eclipse. Yankees to play ball on same day as another natural phenomenon
- Body of third construction worker recovered from Key Bridge wreckage in Baltimore
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Cute & Portable Humidifiers for Keeping You Dewy & Moisturized When You Travel
Suits’ Wendell Pierce Shares Advice He Gave Meghan Markle about Prince Harry
Jacob Flickinger's parents search for answers after unintentional strike kills World Central Kitchen aid workers
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
North Carolina State's Final Four run ends against Purdue but it was a run to remember and savor
WrestleMania 40 winners, highlights from night one: The Rock returns and much more
Donovan Clingan powering Connecticut as college basketball's 'most impactful player'