Dutch politician Wilders' hopes of building coalition hit hurdle

FILE PHOTO: Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party, Geert Wilders gestures as he meets with members of his party at the Dutch Parliament, after the Dutch parliamentary elections, in The Hague, Netherlands November 23, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Populist politician Geert Wilders' hopes of establishing a right-wing government in the Netherlands hit an early hurdle on Friday as the party whose support he needs most ruled out directly joining a new cabinet.

"Voters have spoken and they have told us to skip this round," said Dilan Yesilgoz, the new leader of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party, which lost seats and finished third in Wednesday's election.