Seven lawmakers leave Wilders' party, weakening his leadership
On Tuesday, seven Dutch lawmakers resigned from Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party (PVV) to form their own faction, dealing a significant blow to the controversial anti-Islam politician, who narrowly missed victory in last year's national elections, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
In a statement on X, Wilders said: "A black day for the PVV. But we always keep going. For the Netherlands. And the sun will shine again."
Wilders told reporters in parliament that the departing lawmakers were not happy with his plan to pursue a policy of "hard opposition" to the new government once it is finalised.
The defections mark the biggest challenge to Wilders' grip on the party since it was founded in 2006. As a result, the PVV is no longer the largest opposition force in the 150-seat house of representatives.
The PVV won 26 seats in the October election, the same number as the centrist D66, which received a slightly larger share of the popular vote and is currently leading negotiations to form a three-party minority ruling coalition government.
Other parties in the splintered Dutch legislature have pledged to work constructively with a minority administration that looks likely to be formed by D66, the Christian Democrats and right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy.
The seven departing lawmakers plan to set up their own bloc in parliament, led by veteran PVV lawmaker Gidi Markuszower.
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