The Party for Freedom (PVV), led by veteran anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, emerged victorious in the recent Dutch elections, winning 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house. This triumph marks a significant shift to the right of the political spectrum in the Netherlands.

In response to the PVV's win, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, declared that while they would support a centre-right administration in parliament, they would not join forces with the far-right party in forming the next government. This decision was announced before formal coalition talks had even begun, much to the disappointment of Wilders.

The PVV's election platform emphasizes its stance against Islam, advocating for the exclusion of Islamic schools, Qurans, and mosques in the Netherlands. However, Wilders will likely have to moderate some of his anti-Islam policies in order to secure potential coalition partners. The recently formed New Social Contract party (NSC), led by centrist Pieter Omtzigt, could potentially be a viable alliance for Wilders, as they secured 20 seats. Omtzigt has emphasized his refusal to support any policies that are deemed unconstitutional, in alignment with Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on various grounds.

Rutte's VVD, although losing 10 seats compared to the previous election, remains a significant force in Dutch politics. The party has expressed its willingness to constructively support a centre-right Cabinet with sound policies, despite not actively participating in the government.

The appointment of Gom van Strien, a senator for the Party for Freedom, to investigate potential coalitions signifies a step towards Wilders taking the lead in forming a new coalition and potentially succeeding Rutte as the country's prime minister. The findings of the investigation will be debated on December 6th.

It remains to be seen which groups will align with the PVV and if Wilders can successfully navigate the political landscape, ensuring compromise without compromising the core principles of his party. As the Netherlands prepares for the formation of a new government, discussions and negotiations among the various political entities will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's future direction.