Geert Wilders to Moderate Stance in Bid for Dutch Premiership
Dutch Nationalist Geert Wilders Reaches Deal to Form Coalition Government
Wilders Plans to Tone Down Anti-Islam Rhetoric to Appeal to Wider Audience
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders has announced that he will moderate his stance and tone down his anti-Islam rhetoric in a bid to become the Netherlands' next prime minister.
Wilders, who leads the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), has traditionally held strong anti-immigration and anti-Islam views.
However, in a recent interview, Wilders said that he is willing to compromise on some of his positions in order to form a coalition government with other parties.
"I am not going to change my core beliefs," Wilders said. "But I am willing to listen to other points of view and to find common ground."
Wilders' shift in tone comes as the PVV is facing increasing competition from other right-wing parties, including the populist Forum for Democracy.
The PVV is currently the second-largest party in the Dutch parliament, behind the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
However, the VVD is unlikely to form a coalition with the PVV due to Wilders' extreme views.
If Wilders is able to moderate his stance and form a coalition government, it would be a significant development in Dutch politics.
It would also be a sign that the far right is gaining ground in Europe.
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