04 SEP 2010

Deutsche Welle

With coalition talks deadlocked in Belgium and the Netherlands, both European countries have been plunged into political crisis.

Nearly three months after inconclusive elections in the Netherlands, the Dutch Liberal Party and the Christian Democratic Alliance have failed to form a coalition government with the support of the far-right Party of Freedom (PVV) led by anti-Islamist politician Geert Wilders.

Wilders told a news conference in The Hague that his party had lost confidence in the CDA's ability to form a stable government.

"The trust of the Freedom Party in the Christian Democrats has recently declined to a low point," Wilders said in a statement broadcast on national television. "We didn't cause this mess. We are a stable party."

The country has been in political stalemate since the June 9 parliamentary elections in which the ruling CDA lost half its seats, to 21, while the PVV emerged with 24 seats. Political observers see support for Wilders increasing further should fresh elections be called.

Read entire article