Tractor protests erupted in the Netherlands last year over nitrogen emissions reductions, leading to conspiracy theories about farmland being taken over for asylum seekers. This highlighted how fears of the green transition could be exploited for divisive political gains. Far-right politician Geert Wilders capitalized on these anxieties, winning the most votes in the election and advocating for leaving the Paris agreement on climate change. However, the recent coalition agreement does not include these extreme measures but paves the way for a far-right, insular government’s rise.
This coalition shifts the Netherlands towards outlier territory, with disruptions expected in immigration and green policies. The agreement renounces strategic climate steps while favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy. It also seeks an opt-out from European asylum rules and enforces a strict immigration policy. The mainstreaming of radicalism by supposedly moderate conservatives has allowed Wilders to reshape Dutch politics fundamentally.
As the country navigates through forming a government, the implications of this coalition on European politics remain significant. The potential expulsion of the VVD party from Renew Europe indicates the consequences of enabling extremism. It is a critical juncture for Dutch politics as the damage caused by accommodating extreme ideologies may already be irreversible.
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