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Netherlands' new government has a far-right partner

Eighty-eight days of negotiations

After months of political wrangling, an agreement was reached for the new Dutch government to be led by Mark Rutte, leader of the conservative VVD party. However, the Dutch king on Tuesday gave his blessing to a new Cabinet, which includes members of the far-right Freedom party (PVV). This formal but important final step, which allows the new government to be sworn in, came after a record 88 days of negotiations - the longest in Dutch history.

Back to square one

Efforts to form a government in the Netherlands are back at square one 12 weeks after an election that gave no party a clear majority. Political parties in the Netherlands have reached a final agreement on the formation of their first government since the elections in March, a process that took a record 10 weeks. The new government will be a coalition of the conservative VVD, the centrist D66, the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the far-right Freedom party (PVV). The 2021 Dutch general election resulted in the formation of the fourth Rutte cabinet, consisting of a coalition of the VVD, D66, the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the far-right Freedom party (PVV). The PVV is led by Geert Wilders, who has been convicted of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims. The Netherlands swore in its first far-right government on Tuesday, more than three months after elections that handed a record number of seats to an anti-immigration party whose leader has been convicted of inciting hatred against Muslims. The PVV, VVD, CDA and BBB parties are said to be pleased with the agreements they have made. The PVV's inclusion in the government is a significant development, as it is the first time that a far-right party has been part of a Dutch government since the Second World War.