after its victory in the legislative elections, the far-right struggles to form a government coalition

First difficulties for the Dutch far-right, less than a week after its surprise victory in the legislative elections. The leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), Geert Wilders, faces his first setback on Monday, November 27. Gom van Strien, whom he had just put in charge of negotiations with a view to forming a government coalition, resigned from his functions. At issue: he is accused in the Dutch media of having committed fraud within his former company this weekend.

These circumstances and the time required to respond to the accusations “are not compatible” with the mission entrusted, declared this senator from the Freedom Party (PVV). “I have therefore informed Geert Wilders and the President of Parliament that I am resigning from my position with immediate effect”he added.

Accusations denied by Gom van Strien

On Sunday, the daily NRC wrote that a former employer of Gom van Strien, Utrecht Holdings, had filed a complaint with the police regarding fraud allegedly committed by the senator and other colleagues. Accusations that Gom van Strien judged “unfounded”before asserting that he had “complied with all laws and regulations”.

This controversy is a setback for Geert Wilders, whose party won Wednesday’s vote by obtaining 37 seats out of the 150 in the lower house of Parliament. “This is not the start I dreamed of”admitted the far-right leader who nevertheless appeared optimistic, stressing that he was still running for the position of “Prime Minister of this beautiful country”.