PVV joins Rucphen coalition with CDA for first time; CDA leader calls it a bad idea
The PVV is participating in a governing coalition in the Dutch municipality of Rucphen for the first time, alongside the CDA and the Rucphense Volkspartij. As part of the agreement, the PVV will hold a position in the municipal executive, meaning it will appoint one of the aldermen, RTL reports. CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said, "I do not think it is a good idea to form a coalition with the PVV.”
The coalition followed the March 18 municipal elections. The Rucphense Volkspartij became the largest party with six seats. The PVV won three seats, becoming the third-largest party, and the CDA secured two seats.
CDA leader Bontenbal reiterated his opposition to cooperation with the PVV and said he was "disappointed," though he acknowledged limited control over local party decisions. “But let them implement a lot of CDA policy, then it will still turn out nicely.” He said his objection is based on concerns about the rule of law.
“Because I have always said that you cannot cooperate with parties that themselves tamper with the pillars, with the foundation of the democratic rule of law. Because it is as if you are sawing off the branch you are sitting on,” Bontenbal stated.
After negotiations, the three parties reached a coalition agreement titled “Met Vertrouwen Samen Vooruit” (“Moving Forward With Confidence”). As part of the deal, PVV councilor Wesley Tack was sworn in as alderman on Wednesday evening in the municipal council chamber in Rucphen.
PVV leader Geert Wilders welcomed the development, calling it a milestone for his party at the local level. “It’s, of course, wonderful,” Wilders told RTL. “I can only be very proud of that.”
Wilders noted that the PVV is still excluded from municipal executive coalitions in some places, including Terneuzen, where it became the largest party but has been blocked from participating in government. He also pointed to ongoing coalition talks involving PVV local branches in Pekela, Groningen, and Papendrecht in Zuid-Holland.
“So it would indeed be very good if people can see that we can govern and are going to govern,” Wilders told the media. “You know, once one has started, then hopefully many other cities and villages will quickly follow.”
