Back to the drawing board: Dutch govt coalition talks fail

“We all tried to bring together an almost impossible combination,” said Green Left leader Jesse Klaver. “Today, it turned out that the differences were too great.”

Rutte’s VVD and the Christian Democrats both advocated a tough migration policy in the latest election campaign while the Green Left wanted a more generous approach toward people fleeing war and repression.

In a tweet, Geert Wilders, the right-wing, anti-Islam, anti-immigration populist whose party is the second largest in the Dutch Parliament’s lower house, called the collapse “very good news.” He said his Party for Freedom is “fully available” to join any future coalition-building talks.

However, Rutte and other mainstream party leaders have repeatedly said they will not work with Wilders.

Rutte will now have to start the hunt for new possible coalition partners.

He could replace the Green Left party at the negotiating table with the small, faith-based party Christian Union. A coalition of Rutte’s VVD, the Christian Democrats, D66 and the Christian Union would have a one-seat majority with 76 seats in the 150-seat lower house.

Dutch lawmakers will likely debate about the government formation process before a new round of talks is scheduled.

Mike Corder, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Back to the drawing board: Dutch govt coalition talks fail

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