A brand new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory within the nationwide election 2 weeks in the past

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A brand new decrease home of the Dutch parliament was sworn in Wednesday, two weeks after the far-right social gathering of lawmaker Geert Wilders gained a common election in a seismic shift that reverberated by way of Europe.

While the newly configured Second Chamber is now put in, talks to kind a brand new ruling coalition stay at an early stage, with a “scout” nonetheless speaking to leaders about potential combos to succeed the final four-party administration led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The scout is predicted to ship a report back to parliament earlier than a debate, doubtless subsequent week, on the following step within the coalition formation course of.

Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest-serving premier, will stay in workplace till a brand new coalition is fashioned and sworn in. Talks to kind Rutte‘s final coalition took some nine months, a record.

Wilders‘ anti-Islam, anti-immigration Party for Freedom won 37 seats in the 150-seat Second Chamber of Parliament in the Nov. 22 election, putting him in pole position to succeed Rutte. But at least two potential coalition partners are balking at some of his policy pledges that they consider unconstitutional.

The New Social Contract of former Christian Democrat lawmaker Pieter Omtzigt has 20 seats in the new parliament, but is so far reluctant to commit to joining Wilders in a coalition.

Among Wilders’ marketing campaign pledges is for “No Islamic schools, Qurans and mosques” within the nation, although his manifesto doesn’t define how he would obtain that aim. The Dutch Constitution ensures rights, together with freedom of faith.

Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, the brand new chief of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy lengthy led by Rutte, has stated she doesn’t need her social gathering to affix a coalition with Wilders, however has pledged to help a center-right coalition in parliament.

The new parliament is made up of 15 completely different events and consists of 67 lawmakers with no expertise within the nationwide legislature.