Wilders struggles to maintain control as internal disputes erupt within PVV
Internal conflicts are intensifying within the Party for Freedom (PVV), with leader Geert Wilders increasingly at odds with the ministers and state secretaries of his own party. Sources in The Hague, including PVV members, report a deteriorating atmosphere and escalating disputes to Hart van Nederland. Wilders' relationships with some of his party members have cooled, and many are questioning whether he still has control over his party.
Historically, Wilders has been known for maintaining a firm grip on the PVV, with party members consistently following his lead. However, for the first time since joining the cabinet, a visible divide is emerging within the party. Sources from a coalition partner observe that PVV ministers and state secretaries are increasingly aligning themselves with the National Security Coalition (NSC) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), a shift that has sparked discontent among Wilders' supporters.
Voters are reportedly also noticing the tensions. A recent poll by Hart van Nederland revealed that 62 percent of PVV supporters feel Wilders is losing control of his party. His popularity among his base is slipping, with state secretary Ingrid Coenradie (Justice and Security) now polling at the same level as Wilders. Additionally, 45 percent of PVV voters expressed uncertainty about their choices in the next election, with 33 percent considering voting for another party and 12 percent contemplating abstaining from voting altogether.
Coenradie, one of the PVV members in the cabinet, has increasingly distanced herself from Wilders' policies. While Wilders has strongly opposed early prisoner releases due to a shortage of prison cells, Coenradie, as state secretary, has continued to support this policy. She also publicly criticized her party colleague, Marjolein Faber, over the "Lintsjesrel" (the controversial knighthood issue), a move that has drawn criticism from fellow PVV cabinet members. Barry Madlener, Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, expressed his disappointment with Coenradie's stance in recent weeks.
The mounting tensions are reportedly a reflection of the poor interpersonal dynamics within the PVV. A weekly meeting between cabinet members and their party leader, which is a common practice in other political parties, has been canceled several times recently. While the PVV officially attributed the cancellations to scheduling conflicts, Hart van Nederland's sources within the party have revealed that internal disputes were the true cause. This week's meeting, however, did take place.
