The Right’s victory in the recent Dutch elections will result in big changes in the European Union, according to Brussels Signal’s expert on the country Carl Deconinck.
Speaking on TalkTV on November 26, Deconinck emphasised that there was a good possibility a right-leaning coalition could end up being formed, although it was unclear whether or not the election winner Geert Wilders would be at the helm.
“The big problem is the conservative-liberal party the VVD,” Deconinck said. “They are now the party that has to decide what they will do.”
“The main point of these elections was social-economic…The election was all about the housing crisis, the cost of energy, the cost of living.” @BrusselsSignal’s own @DeconinckCarl on @geertwilderspvv victory, on @TalkTV with @jonnygould
https://t.co/g7mYhFxHbw— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 26, 2023
If such a government is formed, the Brussels Signal journalist said he expected there would be significant changes at the European Union level, with the Netherlands shifting from one of the bloc’s core supporters to a much more critical Member State.
“There won’t be a ‘Nexit’ but there will be negotiations,” he noted, saying that any new right-leaning government would be looking to reduce the billions it hands to the EU each year.
“The Dutch will take a very different stance than they have always taken up until now.”
The crusade for a European superstate remains as undemocratic as ever, writes @L_Wastell. https://t.co/5ZAo6TRO21
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 24, 2023
The November 22 elections have sent tremors through Europe’s establishment and the victory of populist Wilders has spooked much of the bloc’s Liberal elite.
Despite his win, it remains unclear whether the right-wing politician will end up in government at all, let alone become the country’s next prime minister.
Wilders’ fate largely seems to rest in the hands of the centre-right VVD – the party of previous prime minister Mark Rutte – which, despite seeing a collapse in support in the election, still plays key king-maker.
The question of whether or not the VVD should join Wilders’ PVV in government has now left Rutte’s group in a “lose-lose situation”, Deconinck said.
“If they empower Wilders, everyone on the Left, everyone in the establishment, will be angry with them,” he noted, saying that the party would be seen as giving the “wrong people power”.
Staying out of a coalition also poses dangers, with the Brussels Signal writer noting that it is within the interest of the Netherlands for a government to be formed quickly.
Deconinck said he now believes it is more likely that a member of the newly-formed Farmer–Citizen Movement will end up leading any right-leaning coalition as a compromise candidate.
The idea of a Wilders’ premiership is likely being too much for many on the centre-right, he said.
The VVD has announced it won't form part of the next Dutch administration, harming Geert Wilders' chances of forming a majority center-right government. Wilders accused VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz of dropping out when "negotiations have not even begun". https://t.co/AcZswZOGtN
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 24, 2023
