Wilders walks out on ‘Catshuis’ talks: new elections are luring
PVV leader Geert Wilders walked out on the budget cut negotiations saturday resulting in the collapse of the VVD, CDA and PVV minority coalition. New elections are now a viable option prime-minister Mark Rutte told reporters.
After seven weeks of extensive budget cut negotiations Wilders called it quits as the parties hit a deadlock on the issue of pensioner’s budgets. Wilders made a statement finding it unacceptable that pensioners would have to make grave financial concessions because of the ‘useless’ demands from Brussels, referring to the 3 percent E.U. budget deficit norm.
“Clinging on to the oppressive 3 percent deficit norm would be irresponsible” Wilders said. “It will compromise economic growth and lead to more unemployment”
The controversial PVV front man received a great deal of criticism from his coalition partners in response to his exit from the negotiations. CDA party leader Maxime Verhagen blamed Wilders for “leaving the Dutch people hanging out to dry”. Dutch European Commission member Neelie Kroes (VVD) spoke out against Wilders finding him irresponsible.
Wilders has already announced that the PVV theme for the new elections will revolve around “less Europe” and “being our own boss”. However, if elections are to take place, it will take place no earlier than September due to Dutch regulation, which means that the minority government will continue governing in a ‘caretaker’ function until then.
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