Current:Home > NewsA new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago -SecureNest Finance
A new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago
View
Date:2025-04-19 04:23:30
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! (86)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Speaks Out After Hospitalization for Urgent Fetal Surgery
- Grizzly bear blamed for fatal Montana mauling and Idaho attack is killed after breaking into a house
- Americans drink a staggering amount of Diet Coke, other sodas. What does it do to our stomachs?
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- China authorities arrest 2 for smashing shortcut through Great Wall with excavator
- Maya Hawke jokes she's proud of dad Ethan Hawke for flirting with Rihanna: 'It's family pride'
- Tom Brady will toss passes for Delta Air Lines. The retired quarterback will be a strategic adviser
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Vermont man tells police he killed a woman and her adult son, officials say
Ranking
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Coco Gauff reaches her first US Open semifinal at 19. Ben Shelton gets to his first at 20
- Danelo Cavalcante press conference livestream: Police update search for escaped Pennsylvania prisoner
- Suspect wanted in 2019 ambush that killed 9 American citizens is arrested in New Mexico
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Shootout in Mexican border city leaves 4 dead, prompts alert from U.S. Consulate
- Floodwater sweeps away fire truck in China as Tropical Storm Haikui hits southeast coast
- Americans drink a staggering amount of Diet Coke, other sodas. What does it do to our stomachs?
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Nearly 145,000 Kia vehicles recalled due to potentially fatal safety hazard. See the list:
Gadget guru or digitally distracted? Which of these 5 tech personalities are you?
Angels use body double to stand in for Shohei Ohtani in team picture
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Price of gas may surge as Russia, Saudi Arabia say they'll continue to cut production
Battery parts maker Entek breaks ground on $1.5B manufacturing campus in western Indiana
'Face to Face' is a murder mystery that lives up to the tradition of Nordic Noir