The Netherlands shifts sharply to the right with a new government dominated by Geert Wilders’ party

THE HAGUE (AP) — Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders and three other party leaders agreed Thursday morning on a coalition deal that tilts the Netherlands toward the far right, ending six months tumultuous negotiations which still left it unclear who would become Prime Minister. .

The “Hope, Courage and Pride” agreement introduces strict measures towards asylum seekers, abolishes family reunification for refugees and aims to reduce the number of international students studying in the country.

“Expel people without valid residence permits as much as possible, even by force,” the 26-page document says.

Wilders declared victory on what he called a “historic day”, saying he had ensured that the other three parties in the coalition, including that of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, had accepted the essentials of his program.

“The strictest asylum policy ever seen,” rejoiced Wilders. “The Dutch are back at the forefront,” he added, emphasizing the theme of his campaign, namely that immigrants and asylum seekers have too often received preferential treatment over others.

With far-right and populist parties Now part of or leading half a dozen governments in the 27-nation bloc, they appear well-positioned to make gains in the June 6-9 European Parliament elections.

Wilders had already reluctantly admitted that he would not succeed Rutte as head of the country. The parties have yet to agree on a prime minister, who should be a technocrat from outside the party structures.

Speculation has focused on Labor’s Ronald Plasterk, who returned to the spotlight this year when he became the first “scout” to speak to political leaders about possible coalitions.

The agreement says the next government will continue existing plans to tackle climate change, including continuing to finance a climate change fund created last year. But the Citizen Peasant Movement is part of the coalition and the deal includes calming terms and concessions to farmers who have blocked towns with tractors during disruptive protests.

Other points of the agreement include increasing public housing, stricter penalties for serious crimes and capping property taxes.

The group intends to continue supporting Ukraine and wants to enshrine into law NATO’s requirement to spend 2% of gross domestic product on defense.

The parties will explain the program to Parliament on Thursday, but a debate on the agreement will not take place until next week.