Far-right leader Geert Wilders’ hopes of forming a majority government in the Netherlands were dashed on Tuesday after one of the key parties in coalition talks abruptly backed out of a dispute over public finances, AFP reported.

Peter Omzigt’s New Social Contract (NSC) has announced that it has “ended” this round of negotiations, making it impossible for election winner Geert Wilders to form a government majority, Agerpres notes.

In a letter to its members, the NSC said it would remain “constructive” in talks, but appeared to rule out participation in a majority government with Wilders.

“This can be, for example, constructive support for the minority government,” the party said.

Geert Wilders won parliamentary elections in November with a climate change skeptic and an Islamophobic manifesto that sent shockwaves through the Netherlands and beyond.

But unlike what happens, for example, in Great Britain, the leader of the winning party does not automatically take over the leadership of the country.

Prolonged negotiations on the creation of a coalition

In the Netherlands’ highly fragmented political system, where no single party is strong enough to govern alone, the conclusion of an election usually means the start of long months of negotiations.

Wilders has started talks with three other parties, but without the RNB and without his 20 of the 150 seats in parliament, he has no chance of forming a majority government.

Omzigt has already expressed disagreement with parts of Wilders’ manifesto that are considered unconstitutional, such as its anti-Islamic elements, as well as plans for “Nexit” — the Netherlands’ exit from the EU.

“Incredibly disappointing,” Wilders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The Netherlands want this government and now Peter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in discussions until today. I don’t understand at all,” he added.

Mark Rutte remains prime minister

Ronald Plasterk, the former minister now in charge of overseeing the negotiations, is due to report to parliament on the progress of the talks by Monday at the latest.

He said he was “a little surprised” by the sudden decision, Dutch news agency ANP reported, adding that he learned about it through a simple phone message.

The Dutch are used to long negotiations on the formation of a government – the last one lasted 271 days, and Mark Rutte remains prime minister until a possible agreement is reached.

Geert Wilders did not hesitate to talk about new elections if the negotiations fail. The latest polls point to an even bigger victory for the PVV, credited with 50 seats, up from the 37 it won in November.