Geert Wilders says it is 'constitutionally wrong' that he had to sacrifice his leadership ambitions
Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders says it is unfair and “constitutionally wrong” that he had to sacrifice his leadership aspirations in order to pave the way for a right-wing ruling coalition in the Netherlands after his party won elections in November
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders said Thursday it is unfair and “constitutionally wrong” that he had to sacrifice his leadership aspirations in order to pave the way for a right-wing ruling coalition in the Netherlands after his party won the most seats in a November election.
Wilders said Wednesday night that he was giving up his bid, at least for now, to become prime minister because he did not have the full support of all three parties he is negotiating with to form a ruling coalition.
On Thursday, he sounded bitter that he likely will not become prime minister despite his elections victory, exposing simmering tensions between possible coalition partners. Historically, the leader of the largest party in parliament has become prime minister in the Netherlands.
“In the end, no matter how much it hurts and no matter how unfair I think it is and how constitutionally wrong it is, I still made the decision not to choose my own position," Wilders told reporters. "I said in a tweet yesterday that the national interest and love for my voters and the PVV voter, our voters, is greater than my own position.”
