AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Geert Wilders, a Dutch far-right politician, had appointed Gom van Strien as a “scout” to investigate potential governing coalitions following elections where Wilders’ party won the most seats. However, van Strien resigned suddenly on Monday.
Van Strien stated in a release that it was no longer tenable for him to hold the position after reports surfaced over the weekend regarding a fraud charge against him. He maintains his innocence but felt that the ongoing controversy did not align with his role as a scout.
“The unrest that has arisen about this…(is) not fitting in my eyes with my current work as scout,” van Strien said, according to Reuters. “Therefore, I have informed Geert Wilders and the chairwoman of parliament that I will lay down my work as scout immediately.”
This swift resignation highlights the challenges that Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) may face in forming a government despite significant gains in the Nov. 22 election. With just 24% of the vote, the PVV will need support from at least two more moderate parties to form a government.
Despite this, early signs have not been favorable, as the largest conservative party, the VVD Party of outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte, ruled out joining a Wilders-led Cabinet on Friday, although they may consider offering outside support.
Van Strien was scheduled to meet with VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz on Monday.
NRC Handelsblad reported over the weekend about a lawsuit facing Van Strien, a PVV senator, which was previously not publicized. In March, he was sued by a business subsidiary of Utrecht University for alleged fraud.
In response to the accusations, Van Strien stated that they were baseless and he “rejects them strongly.”
(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Peter Graff)
