Netherlands
Jules
Maaten
The shine is coming off the new Dutch government before it has even started
Next week a new government of the Netherlands will be sworn in, after more than half a year of often acrimonious negotiations. For the first time a party from the extreme right will be part of a Dutch government coalition, Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV). Apart from a programme outline that is a mishmash of conservative campaign promises, and a mixed bag of appointments to the cabinet, no one knows for sure where this rickety journey goes. Clearly, though, vigilance is called for.