Far-right leader Geert Wilders stumbles in his attempt to form a government coalition in the Netherlands. The center-right New Social Contract party, fourth in the elections, withdraws from the negotiations citing the poor situation of public finances.
Wilders has expressed his “astonishment and disappointment” at what happened, because, as he stated, “the country wants this Government and Omtizgt throws in the towel” The four groups that hope to form the Executive are convened, but Omtzigt has already said he will not appear at the meeting.