Omtzigt’s support was key to securing backing for a center-right majority government with four parties, including Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV).
Wilders’ party, led by the far-right firebrand who was previously considered politically toxic in the Netherlands given his hard-line views on immigration and Islam, landed a stunning victory in last November’s elections.
Negotiator Ronald Plasterk, who has been leading the coalition talks, in comments to Dutch media defended himself against accusations from Omtzigt that he withheld information “about the state of government finances” from different ministries for at least several days.
Plasterk called Omtzigt’s story “muddled” and said he’d extended an invitation for the four to meet Wednesday evening to clear the air. But Omtzigt refused the invitation, public broadcaster NOS reported.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, the leader of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), said she was “very surprised” by the news of Omtzigt’s exit.
“We were in the middle of constructive conversations, including today. Hope we can sit down soon to hear what exactly is going on here,” Yeşilgöz said on X.
