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SvennoJ on 30 November 2023
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Ryuu96 said:

The Netherlands' new leader whose manifesto calls for a halt in weapons supplies to Ukraine suffered a major setback on Wednesday evening as he tries to form a government coalition.

His PVV Freedom Party shocked everyone by clinching 37 seats – far beyond what polls had predicted. His preferred coalition is with the BBB farmers party (seven seats), the all-new pro-reform New Social Party (20 seats) and the current ruling party, the center-right VVD (24 seats).

The VVD has already ruled out participation, saying it would "support a center-right coalition" from the opposition benches. The BBB and the NSC were seen as more amenable.

But the NSC and its popular leader Pieter Omtzigt said Wednesday it did not see a way of working with the PVV unless it clarified the more extreme parts of its manifesto.

"All in all, the NSC faction does not now see any basis to start talks with the PVV about a majority or a minority government," said a letter from Omtzigt to the "scout" charged with overseeing the negotiations.

The PVV manifesto "contains views which in our judgement go against the constitution... here we draw a hard line," said the letter.

The manifesto calls for a ban on mosques, headscarves and the Koran, as well as a referendum on a "Nexit" – the Netherlands leaving the European Union.

What does this mean for Ukraine?

It looks positive overall – Wilders can't stop aid to Ukraine until a government is formed and there's a chance it could be something he has to compromise on in order to move forward.

EXPLAINED: The Huge Blow for Geert Wilders and His Anti-Ukraine Aid Stance

What the heck happened with the Netherlands. When I grew up there it was basically 4 parties, CDA, PVDA, VVD, D66. It all started fragmenting after I left in 2002. But I never expected Geert Wilders to get this popular.

I doubt the government, if they even can get to a coalition, will last long. Hopefully the damage will be limited and of short duration. Yet for now there is little hope of much help from The Netherlands in the Ukraine and Gaza wars if he does manage to form a coalition.

Once The Netherlands were progressive and even used here in Canada as an example on how to integrate immigrants into a multi cultural society. How things have changed :( #Blame immigrants for everything. (Although while the government was more progressive in the past, the Netherlands were plenty racist as well when I grew up. I guess the difference is, it's now out in the open in politics)

The Western/European superiority complex, eurocentrism, is at the root of all this and a direct result of how history has been (re)written to favor the enlightenment and the industrial revolution, while brushing colonialism, slavery and fascism under the rug.
https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/european-superiority-complex-is-now-a-malignant-tumour-12782420