Wilders' influence wanes in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is facing new elections after right-wing populist Geert Wilders refused to give an austerity package his support on Saturday. This fortunately puts an end to the minority government's dangerous experiment with relying on support from Wilders' party, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "The model functioned until the economic crisis forced the Netherlands to make cuts for the second time within a year. At such times the populists withdraw their support. Bold decisions that cost votes are not their thing. The adventure with tolerating [Wilders' party] threatens to end badly for Wilders. His party is divided, and if he's not careful he will end up being blamed for the political crisis. But far more important is that Wilders will likely never be asked to help define the country's course again. The Netherlands are clean once more - good News for all Dutch politicians, entrepreneurs, diplomats and tourists who have had to justify the deplorable acts of this Islamophobic loudmouth."

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