(Jan 21): Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party lost its status as a leading opposition bloc in the Dutch lower house on Tuesday after seven lawmakers defected amid internal fighting. “This is a black day for the Freedom Party,” Wilders told reporters in The Hague on Tuesday. The Freedom Party was initially tied with the centrist Democrats 66 in the legislature as the largest opposition forces, with both holding 26 seats. Rob Jetten, whose Democrats 66 party received the most votes, is seeking to form a government with the Christian Democrats and the liberal People’s Party. The lawmakers who’ve left Wilders’ party plan to form a new parliamentary faction led by Gidi Markuszower.
