‘Wilders’ European adventure fails’

Geert Wilders, leader of Dutch populist party PVV, announced on 23 June that he has failed to find enough partners to form a group in the European parliament by the 24 June deadline. Wilders was working with Marine Le Pen, leader of the Front National party in France, to form a parliamentary group of populist parties. Although the Lega Nord (Italy), the FPÖ (Austria) and Vlaams Belang (Belgium) were willing to join, at least seven countries must be represented in order for a group to be formed, Trouw explains.
The paper notes that Wilders “was not prepared to form a group at any price.” Although Poland’s Congress of the New Right (KNP), whose leader has proposed abolishing women’s right to vote, was available, Wilders said that would have been “one step too far”. The PVV leader said he will continue seeking to form a group later in the year.