Current:Home > ContactA new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago -Elevate Profit Vision
A new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:26:57
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! (3564)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Italian official calls tourists vandals after viral incidents: No respect for our cultural heritage
- Japan to start releasing Fukushima plant’s treated radioactive water to sea as early as Thursday
- Feel Comfy and Look Professional in These Sweatpants That Look Like Work Pants
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- NPR's podcast and programming chief Anya Grundmann to leave after 30 years
- Novak Djokovic outlasts Carlos Alcaraz in nearly 4 hours for title in Cincinnati
- Meadow Walker Calls Husband Louis Thornton-Allan Her Best Friend in Birthday Tribute
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- 'Just the beginning': How push for gun reform has spread across Tennessee ahead of special session
Ranking
- Small twin
- Free Disney World passes is latest front in war between Disney and DeSantis appointees
- Virginia man wins largest online instant lottery game in US history
- The Surprisingly Simple Way Lady Gaga Gives Herself an Extra Boost of Confidence
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Demi Lovato Gets the Last Laugh on That Poot Meme With Hilarious Birthday Treat
- 14 people were shot, one fatally, in the same Milwaukee neighborhood, police say
- Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Share Glimpse Inside Family Vacation Amid Relationship Speculation
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Ecuadorians reject oil drilling in the Amazon in historic decision
850 people are still missing after Maui wildfires, mayor says
Halfway there! Noah Lyles wins 100 meters in pursuit of sprint double at world championships
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Deion Sanders' manager, Colorado reach deal on Amazon film series being shot on campus
Planning for retirement in 5 years? Do these 5 things first.
Texas court offers rehabilitation program to help military veterans who broke the law